Tyson Fury has insisted that Anthony Joshua would have to beat Deontay Wilder in order to be considered the best heavyweight boxer in the world.
The Gypsy King is preparing to take on AJ in a hugely-anticipated bout, with a date and venue likely to be confirmed in the coming days.
The victor will be crowned the undisputed heavyweight No.1, but speaking to Behind The Gloves Fury stated his belief that even if Joshua manages to cause an upset and beat him, he would need to also win against the likes of Wilder to earn the status as the best in the world.
"When I win I am the best of this era because I beat everyone in it," Fury said. "Klitschko, Wilder and AJ. If AJ wins he will still not have beaten anybody. He has to beat me and Wilder.
"I don’t think he can beat Deontay Wilder, I have no love for Wilder, I think he is a piece of s*** dosser but I am the only man who can beat him. I am not a betting man but I would put a lot of money on Wilder beating all the others, including Joshua."
Fury also reiterated his belief that Joshua only shot to fame due to him, and pointed to his victory against Wladimir Klitschko as a key moment.
"I have helped [Joshua] become a superstar," he added. "He only has his career because of me. I took Klitschko’s belts off him then had my problems and the other guys picked them up. Charles Martin would never have had a world title for AJ to win off of him without me.
"I destroyed Klitschko, mentally, physically and spiritually and took every belt he had. Then they were all taken off of me and other people picked them up. I helped them all become world champions.”
