ANTHONY JOSHUA spoke out for the first-time since Tyson Fury announced his retirement.
Fury teased a return to challenge the winner in Saturday's rematch between AJ & Oleksandr Usyk, Saudi Arabia.
After Tyson Fury confirmed Anthony Joshua's retirement, Anthony Joshua spoke out
Tyson Fury announced his retirement on his 34th Birthday
The unbeaten WBC champion announced that he was leaving for good on his 34th birthday.
This is despite the fact that Fury's promoters Bob Arum, Frank Warren, and Usyk, 35, hoped Fury would face Joshua, 32, or Usyk.
A win for AJ would reclaim the WBA, IBF, and WBO belts as well as putting him back at the top of the division.
Joshua insists that he must beat Fury, his longtime rival, to be considered the No1 heavyweight fighter in the world.
Sky Sports quoted him as saying: "Unless he's 100% retired, you have to beat Fury also."
With all due respect, "This is not about Fury. This is just my opinion.
"As it stands, you are just a winner. You're a winner at end of the day. There are always new challenges.
"Until you retire, you will always be challenged to prove that you are the best in the universe."
AJ vs Usyk 2, date, live stream, and TV channel for blockbuster rematch
"The moment you claim you are the best, that's the time you should pack up. That's all for Tyson Fury.
Fury announced his retirement in April after he knocked out Dillian Whyte (34), at Wembley.
However, the possibility of fighting for the undisputed heavyweight title - the first in the four-belt era -- was still possible.
Joshua can only focus on the rematch against Usyk after his defeat to Usyk last September.
He returns to redemption almost one year later.
Joshua stated, "The time drags along. Normaly, you go straight back in there.
"Inactivity is not good for anyone, but the pros are for all of the changes that have been made to my training camp, training site, and having to create a new team. This is essential in a training environment.
"That took time, so I concentrated on recovery immediately after the fight but I got to work and you'll see Saturday what we've been doing for the last, I would guess, 10 months."
Anthony Joshua in September was defeated by Oleksandr Uzyk
