Once the sport of boxing returns from its current enforced hiatus, fans will no doubt be clamouring to see the biggest fights possible.

For the vast majority, Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is the bout that would top their wish list.

Joshua is the reigning IBF, WBO and WBA Super heavyweight champion, whilst Fury holds the division's WBC title.

This means that a showdown between the pair would, at present, be for every major championship in the weight class - setting the stage perfectly for one of the biggest fights of all time.

According to Joshua, however, the two British superstars have already previously crossed paths in the ring during a 2010 sparring session. There may have been no championships on the line, but the stakes when the duo met for the first time were still relatively considerable.

Per thesun.co.uk, Joshua recounted his initial interaction with Fury, which took place with the Watford-born man still several years away from turning professional.

"This was early on when I was an amateur and I didn't know who Tyson was...I was reading in Boxing News he was going around London gyms asking if anyone knocks him out they get to keep his Rolex."

Ultimately Joshua was unsuccessful in his efforts to floor Fury, meaning that he did not go home with the classic timepiece belonging to the "Gypsy King".

Joshua did, though, apparently earn Fury's respect during the spar.

"Me and him had a straight war. We both have heart," Joshua recalled. "I didn't get to knock him out...He said afterwards 'Watch out for this kid, he will be champion of the world one day'. And he got his prediction right."

Given that sporting action around the world is on indefinite hold at the moment, it seems unlikely that Joshua and Fury will get their unification clash before the end of this calendar year.

It will, however, be quite some spectacle should it eventually take place.

Prior to any potential Fury bout, though, Joshua still has to make a mandatory defence of his championships against top IBF contender Kubrat Pulev.

The fight had been scheduled for June 20 but had to be pushed back due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Whilst a revised date has yet to be officially confirmed for the clash, Joshua will be all too aware of the need for him not to look past Pulev. Having already suffered a shock loss to Andy Ruiz last June, Joshua will know that there can be no further slip-ups if he is to finally meet Fury in a professional ring.