Anthony Joshua claims Tyson Fury wants to be just like him, Vasyl Lomachenko is officially returning to the ring and Dillian Whyte has a former Andy Ruiz opponent in his sights. Here are five stories you might have missed in a busy week of boxing...
Tyson Fury Wants To Be Me, Says Anthony Joshua
The war of words between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua ahead of their huge heavyweight unification bout has been underway for some time now but AJ has thrown fuel on to the fire by claiming that he’s everything the Gypsy King wants to be.
Speaking on the Deeney Talks podcast, the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO world champion said, "The man will talk about drinking pints and he's not interested, yet he wants to look chiselled. But AJ has a good body and he's a bodybuilder. It's psychological warfare. He wants to have a six-pack… I am everything he wants to be."
"The reason he is saying he's drinking 12 pints is he knows he could never do that to fight me. You know how serious this challenge is, you wanna make it seem so small, that's how big you know this challenge is gonna be. He knows."
Dillian Whyte To Face Chris Arreola In Route To Andy Ruiz Fight?
Dillian Whyte says Chris Arreola, who was beaten on the cards by Andy Ruiz in California at the weekend, coud be a potential opponent for a US fight that would pave the way for a showdown with Ruiz himself.
"I think Chris Arreola might be somebody to look at, because he just acquitted himself well against Adam Kownacki and Andy Ruiz," Whyte told Sky Sports' Toe 2 Toe podcast.
"It would be good if I could blow him away in four or five rounds as well, because my name has been matched with Andy Ruiz and those kind of guys.
"He's well known, a tough guy. Three-time world title challenger. Very good Mexican fighter as well.
"Arreola fights like a real Mexican unlike that fat, fake Mexican. Like I said before, Candy Ruiz is all stomach and no heart. He had 30 pounds of fat sucked out of him and he still looks like a messy blob."
Vasyl Lomachenko Returns In June
Vasyl Lomachenko will return to the ring on June 26 for the first time since suffering defeat to Teofimo Lopez when he takes on Masayoshi Nakatani in Las Vegas.
The Ukrainian will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after his reign as unified champion was halted by Lopez in October but he could face another tricky night against Nakatani, who stopped Felix Verdejo in his last outing in December. The Japanese fighter will have a big size advantage over Loma, with an extra five inches in height and six inches in reach.
Roy Jones Claims He’s Been Offered Fights With Tommy Hearns And Joe Calzaghe
Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr claims he has been approached to face fellow legends Thomas Hearns or Joe Calzaghe in an exhibition fight.
Jones, a former four-weight world champion, fought Mike Tyson to a draw in an exhibition last year but the 52-year-old doesn’t seem to be done there.
Jones Jr, now Chris Eubank Jr’s trainer, told Sky Sports, "It depends. Glenn McCrory wants me to fight him.
"I was told the other day that Joe Calzaghe is thinking about coming back and wants me to fight him.
"Then Tommy Hearns wants to do a five-round fight!
"They all want to beat up poor old Roy. Why? I don't know why. I don't have anything to prove but I still love boxing.
"Anybody wants some? You've all got my phone number. If you want this action, don't think you can't get this action, because you can!"
Joshua Buatsi Finds Place On Terri Harper Card On May 15
Light-heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi could take a massive step towards a world title shot providing he can overcome unbeaten Frenchman Daniel Blenda Dos Santos on May 15.
Buatsi, who last stopped Marko Calic in October, returns in just over a week’s time on the undercard for Terri Harper's world super-featherweight unification clash with Hyun Mi Choi at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The 28-year-old, who is now working with US trainer Virgil Hunter, said "I've got an unbeaten opponent, that makes him ambitious,"
"Obviously the first fight under Virgil, so it's should be interesting. I'm looking forward to showing what I've been working on with Virgil.
"He's going to want to hold onto his undefeated record, as I am. When that's at stake you really dig deep.”
