Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury square off on Twitter

Anthony Joshua during a press conference ahead of his fight with Wladimir Klitschko. Photo / Getty

British heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury engaged in a war of words on social media ahead of the Olympic champion's world title fight with Wladimir Klitschko.

Joshua is preparing to face 41-year-old Klitschko for the IBF, WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight belts at Wembley on April 29.

The much-anticipated fight is Klitschko's first return to the ring since his shock points defeat to Fury back in November 2015.

Joshua is widely regarded as the biggest name in heavyweight boxing right now but Fury seems less than impressed with his compatriot.

The former world champion, who was forced the vacate his titles last year following a period of inactivity, took to social media on Tuesday to criticise Joshua ahead of the fight.

"Anthony Joshua is a poor man's Frank Bruno", wrote the Morecambe-based heavyweight.

@anthonyfjoshua is a poor mans @frankbrunoboxer 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/r8dnkcT4WV

— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) April 18, 2017

Joshua promptly hit back at Fury, who was stripped of his IBF world heavyweight title in 2016 after refusing to fight mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov.

Typical @Tyson_Fury always tlking BS around fight time. Same offer as lst time. X2 ringside tickets dn't bring a plus 1 it's for ur fat ass🙃 https://t.co/pdExyUQTbd

— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) April 18, 2017

"Typical Tyson Fury always talking BS around fight time. Same offer as last time. x2 ringside tickets, don't bring a plus one - it's for your fat a**," Joshua wrote on Twitter.

Fury is currently in training as he prepares to make his long-awaited comeback after a serious of drug and fitness issues.

I might be fat, but your a paper champ & paper Chined weightlifting rudeboy wannabe badman! Know your place chump!Or I'll come back & ok u.🥊

— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) April 18, 2017

He replied: "I might be fat, but you're a paper champ and paper chinned weightlifting rudeboy wannabe badman! Know your place chump! Or I'll come back and OK you."

Shut up & give me a date when you'll b back! YOU'RE the only reason we haven't had a fight yet! b about what u say. I ain't going know where https://t.co/fgM70skdbl

— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) April 18, 2017

Joshua then appeared to lose patience with his heavyweight rival: "Shut up and give me a date when you'll be back! YOU'RE the only reason we haven't had a fight yet! Be about what u say. I ain't going nowhere."

Fury then hit back for one final time: "You shouldn't throw stones when you live in a glass house, deal with b****ko first then I'll give you a boxing lesson, I promise. Good luck chump."

U shouldn't throw stones when u live in a glass house,deal with bitchko first then I'll give u a boxing lesson, I promise 🙏🏻 Good luck chump

— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) April 18, 2017

Anyways I'm off for a beer 🍺don't need to train to beat weightlifters & bitches like @anthonyfjoshua &@EddieHearn #BUMCITYS

— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) April 18, 2017