After Tyson Fury teased another return to boxing, one former champion has told the Gypsy King to do everything he can to take on Anthony Joshua

Ex-world champion Carl Froch has encouraged Tyson Fury to arrange a bout with Anthony Joshua, stating it would be a routine victory for the Gypsy King.

Fury, 37, stepped away from boxing following his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, but has frequently hinted at a comeback. In late April, Fury shared a video of himself training with long-time coach Sugarhill Steward, sparking speculation that a return to the ring was on the cards.

With Daniel Dubois set to take on Usyk for the undisputed world championship in July, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, recently revealed that Joshua will undergo keyhole surgery on his elbow, side-lining him for four to six weeks. The Olympic gold medallist and two-time world champion hasn’t fought since his knockout defeat by Dubois at Wembley Stadium last September. Reflecting on that match, Froch believes Fury would easily triumph over Joshua if they were to face off.

On the Froch on Fighting podcast, the two-time WBC super middleweight champion said: “Fury, if he comes out of retirement, the only fight really that’s going to be interesting for the fans, the only fight that I want to see personally is if he fights Anthony Joshua. It’s not that I’m mega interested and if it doesn’t happen that I’m going to be annoyed or feel like I’ve missed out on something, because I won’t do.

“But, that will be the one that people want to see. That will probably still fill Wembley, but as a boxing purist, as a lover of the sport, am I that bothered if Tyson Fury never steps in the ring with Anthony Joshua? I’ll be honest, no.

“AJ has been flattened, ironed out, a few times. We’ve seen him lose against Andy Ruiz, he lost his soul and never regained it. He had a comeback with Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, he also beat Otto Wallin and then Francis Ngannou, the MMA fighter.

“Those four fights really flattered AJ, but never really tested him. He was never put under the kosh, he was never having to fight in there really with anybody that was coming in swinging, trying to take him out.

“The minute he steps in there with somebody that was lively, with a pulse, that was trying to do him, what happened? He got f***ing flattened. To me, that was the end of him.”

Joshua’s defeat by Dubois marked the fourth loss of his professional boxing career. His first career defeat came at the hands of Andy Ruiz, but the loss to his fellow Brit was the first time he failed to rise before the count of 10.

Froch believes that Joshua may be too mentally scarred from that bout to face a fighter as formidable as Fury, despite the latter suffering two losses to Usyk.

Froch added: “That was a career ending performance. That was a finishing wipe out. That’s what that is, mentally, physically, everything. He’s had a long time out the ring as well. Between September and December, it’s going to be getting on for a year when Anthony Joshua comes back.

“He’s talking about elbow surgery as well, so if he has elbow surgery, it’s going to put him out for another two or three months. The way he performed against Usyk and then got flattened by Dubois, I just feel he’s a disaster waiting to happen.

“For me, it’s an easy win for Fury. For me, I don’t care who wins, I’ve got no favourite for this fight. Tyson Fury is in better form. He had a stinker against Ngannou, but his two fights against Usyk shows me he has still got it and is still good enough and is still capable.”

Eddie Hearn has revealed in an interview that the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight is more likely to happen now than ever before.

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been pitted against each other for nearly ten years, with rumoured agreements and social media deadlines punctuating this long rivalry between the two British heavyweight superstars.

The Matchroom boss, speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, said Joshua is ready to make a fight with Fury after coming back from his elbow surgery and that the ball is in Fury’s court.

Hearn said: “AJs got to have a little keyhole surgery on an elbow. He’ll be back post September.”

He continued: “When we talk about big fights – this fight is the biggest fight – not just in British boxing, in world boxing by a mile. I just feel like it’s time, this is the moment. We’re reliant upon Tyson Fury, [but] we’re ready to go.”

With Fury teasing a return to the ring on social media twice already this year, Hearn believes that he will not be able to resist the temptation to come back and take on ‘AJ’.

He said of Fury: “He’s a competitive so and so, and I just know in his mind he’ll want to dance with Anthony Joshua. So, dust those shoes off and let’s make it happen.”

The circumstances and relationships surrounding this fight have changed drastically since it was first proposed. Neither man holds a belt and Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn have a recently reconciled relationship that has opened the door for many cross promotional matchups already.

Joshua’s promoter believes this will be the key to the fight being made as easily as ‘one phone call’.

Hearn said: “Honestly, one phone call. Previously one had a belt, one was the challenger. One was unified, me and Frank Warren never spoke, me and Tyson Fury didn’t get on. That ship’s sailed now, and it really is one phone call just to say, Look, here are the terms, you’re both not champions at the moment but you’re both huge stars – let’s just get on with it and make it happen.’”

He concluded: “So, fingers crossed, but I’m quietly confident.”

Anthony Joshua to undergo surgery THIS WEEK as Eddie Hearn reveals ‘encouraging’ update with ‘big tease’ Tyson Fury

Another option has also emerged for AJ’s next fight

ANTHONY JOSHUA is to have surgery on his elbow THIS WEEK – as talks to finally fight “big tease” Tyson Fury move a step closer.

Joshua, 35, is yet to return since his September knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois, 27, with a secret injury delaying his comeback.

AJ has since revealed the setback was caused by a problem with his elbow – which promoter Eddie Hearn reveals is due to be fixed this week.

Hearn told SunSport: “He just goes back into camp and just can’t fire on all cylinders consistently.

“So he can go back, have a couple of sessions, bit of soreness in the elbow.

“They tried to let it rest and recover and they’ve told him that I think it’s this week, he has a small keyhole surgery in the arm.

“Clear out, and it’s four-six weeks, he’s good to go. So I think we’re looking post-September.”

Following Joshua’s loss and Fury’s double defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, 38, last year, it set up the beaten Brits to finally settle their overdue score.

That was until Fury announced a shock retirement – the fourth of his career – in January only one month after Usyk won their rematch.

But the unpredictable Gypsy King has since ended his social media silence to begin hinting at a comeback – leaving Hearn hopeful.

The promoter said: “Tyson Fury is a big tease, everyday I open up Instagram like today and he’s got his wraps on saying he’s done 12 rounds.

“He looks super fit, Tyson Fury, he looks like he’s ready to go now! Which is encouraging, but obviously probably the delay that AJ’s got is a blessing, to be honest with you.

“One, you’ve got Usyk against Dubois coming up so that gives you a little bit of time.

“And number two, you’ve got Tyson Fury who could potentially come back to the ring so it’s gonna be interesting to see what plays out.”

Turki Alalshikh’s introduction to boxing and his deep Saudi pockets have helped bridge the gap between Hearn and long-time rival Frank Warren.

The previously warring promoters even share the sports streaming platform DAZN now – paving the way for talks between AJ and Fury.

Hearn admitted: “I’d be lying if I said we haven’t discussed it socially, because obviously everyone’s desperate to make it happen.

“But, no one said, ‘Oh, I think it’s coming, I think he’s coming back.’ But at the same time, he’s training.

Tyson Fury is a big tease, every day I open up Instagram like today and he’s got his wraps on saying he’s done 12 rounds. He looks super fit, Tyson Fury, he looks like he’s ready to go now! Which is encouraging

“And I feel like with Tyson Fury over the years, you’ve seen him not training and balloon out of shape and then it takes him a long time to come back.

“Now it looks like he’s either ready to fight or he’s ready to begin camp, which is hugely encouraging. But I just don’t think he’ll be able to leave it alone, if I’m honest with you.

“Because, the money’s one thing, but just the occasion and the challenge, and he’s a competitor, he’s a winner. And I just can’t believe he’s gonna let it slide.”

While Fury is Joshua & Co’s main target, Hearn warned they will await the result of Dubois’ July 19 rematch with Usyk at Wembley.

Hearn is adamant AJ will fight before the year ends – with or without Fury.

He warned: “Next couple of months, if there’s no movement, we fight.

“I mean there’s no way AJ’s not fighting this year. So who that will be? I can’t tell you.

“I mean, that’s the million dollar question at all times, but I think more importantly is, do we get any news from Fury in the next four, six, eight weeks?

“If we do, we’ll fight him this year. If not, we’ll fight and then maybe he comes back next year, who knows?

“But I’d be lying if I said we weren’t desperate to see him return. But, at the same time we can’t just wait around and see what happens.”

The Gypsy King continues to drop hints about his fighting future

TYSON FURY has ramped up training ahead of a potential return to the ring.

The Gypsy King announced his fifth retirement from the sport in January just a few weeks after his second-straight loss to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.

But the Wythenshawe warrior performed an unsurprising U-turn late last month in an expletive-filled rant at his two-time conqueror.

And the 35-year-old has been putting in some hard work in the gym since returning from a luxury holiday in the Bahamas.

On Wednesday afternoon, the former two-time heavyweight champion shared a post-training snap of himself, dad John and cousin Ricky Gorman to his Instagram page.

His accompanying caption read: “Great work today in gym 12 rounds of boxing with @gypsyjohnfury @ricky_gorman__ @gypsyprince.”

Scores of the fan favourite’s followers commented on the post, with on saying: “Coming back.

“Another said: He’s back!!”

“And another said: “Man is back like a boomerang.”

One remarked: One more ride. Let’s go.”

Another chimed in: “Get up!”

Awaiting Fury is a long-overdue £300million showdown with Brit rival Anthony Joshua, which many thought was a sure thing before his fifth retirement.

But the fight won’t be happening anytime soon as Joshua is set to go under the knife to address a long-standing elbow injury.

When quizzed about his ring return, AJ told DAZN: “I’m trying to get my body right.

“I have got to actually have a little surgery on my elbow.

“A small surgery sometime in May. I’m finalising the details.

“That will see me out of the gym for maybe six to eight weeks, and then when I’m healed, I will be back.”