Tyson Fury has made a name for himself by being controversial and having a penchant for drama.

His newest rivalry with heavyweight titan Anthony Joshua has been simmering away whilst the Gypsy King battled his well-documented drug and depression demons.

Now though, with 2018 upon us, Joshua has begun to hit back at some of Fury’s comments, and stoke the fires of a mega bout in the new year.

After being labelled a “body builder” and “useless” by the former heavyweight champion earlier this year, it was about time that Joshua responded with a few choice words of his own.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5live’s Sportsweek, AJ told listeners: “What we are achieving as heavyweight champions is phenomenal, but for someone (Fury) in my own industry to discredit it, I can’t respect that person."

Interestingly, Fury also bemoaned a lack of respect for his achievements upon becoming the WBO, IBF, and WBA champion, though, his gripes were with the British public as opposed to a fellow fighter.

He relinquished those titles in October 2016 to focus on mental health issues and whilst embroiled in a UKAD anti-doping investigation.

Far from doping allegations, or the myriad of bigoted, misogynistic, anti-Semitic, or racist comments made by him in the past few years being the reason for Joshua’s low regard of Fury.

It seems that being labelled a “bum” was the step too for AJ.

“I don’t respect him. I don’t have much respect for many boxers in the heavyweight division. It’s not an act with me. I’m being honest. I used to. I used to say very nice things.

"If I speak well of Tyson Fury and say ‘what he’s achieved is so hard and I respect him’ it builds the credibility of the heavyweight belt up.

"But when Tyson Fury says ‘Anthony Joshua is a bum’ and ‘look at him, he’s struggling against this opponent’ it discredits everything I’ve achieved.”

In his interview, however, Joshua also made it abundantly clear that a bout with Fury is very much on his radar in the coming months, stating: “He’s (Fury) more than welcome to share a ring with me."

AJ did suggest that it would be wise if his handlers got him a few fights first before facing him, though, something Fury is sure to have something to say in response to.

Before any of that can happen, though, Fury needs to regain his boxing license, something he hopes to happen in February once his ban runs out.

Whilst Joshua has the small matter of a bout with Joseph Parker to get through, a fight which he says is “95%” complete for the end of March, in the back of his mind will be that fight with Fury.

Either way, the new year is sure to be full of plenty of excitement, both inside and outside of the ring. Roll on 2018.