Anthony Joshua has admitted Tyson Fury is 'a decent fighter' after he knocked out Deontay Wilder for the second time in as many fights.
The Gypsy King, 33, retained his WBC heavyweight title when he savagely KO'd Wilder in the 11th round of their trilogy fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on October 9 - just two weeks after Joshua lost his titles to Oleksandr Usyk.
Boxing fans had been hoping to see the bitter rivals battle it out for all the belts in a 'Battle of Britain' but a court ruled in favour of the American in arbitration before Joshua suffered the second defeat of his career.
The Watford fighter had backed Wilder to avenge his defeat to Fury and return the favour.
But AJ was forced to swallow his words as he begrudgingly gave credit where credit is due.
Speaking to iFL TV he said: “Fury done really well for a man in his first title defence as a champion.
“It shows just how tough it is being champion at the moment.
“But he did very well to come through the storm, but SugarHill deserves a round of applause in the corner. That helped him a lot having that trust and wisdom in his corner, a great corner set-up.
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“Well done to him WBC champion of the world and two-time champion it is lovely for his wife and family particularly his old man [John Fury] who deserves it and is his biggest f------ supporter.
“So it is lovely to see him making his family proud same as I make my family proud so well done to them. And Sugar Hill Steward and Andy Lee have done a superb job with Tyson."
Joshua, 31, was speaking in public for the first time since his shock upset at the hands of Usyk.
And while he reserved praise for Fury, he spared no such mercy for Wilder, whom he accused of 'cherry picking' his opponents.
Asked for his thoughts on Wilder, he replied: “I would have iced half the m------------- he has in his fights.
“And then you come up against one of two good fighters and it shows how difficult it is at the top level.
“And he is trying to learn now because he has realised 's---, Fury is a decent fighter,’ and if he uses his ability to learn as fuel he could go far in the next three or four years.
“Whereas I have learned from my experiences such as taking punches, trying not to get hit. But it just shows to up and coming fighters it is good to be protected but don’t do any cherry picking with your opponents, go out and test your metal.
"If the fans can't see I would take these fights with the fighters like Wilder in a heartbeat, and I want people to know that I would fight anyone in their prime or anytime. Give me a mandatory and I will fight anyone, I love the game and will fight anyone."
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