Boxing: Tyson Fury says Joseph Parker would be 'a risky fight' for Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury wants to fight Anthony Joshua next year. Photo / Photosport

Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has urged Anthony Joshua not to fight Joseph Parker, saying the Kiwi champion would be "a risky fight".

Fury – who is back from a two-year absence – wants Joshua to give him the first crack at his world title saying a fight with Parker could ruin what he called "the biggest fight ever seen in Britain".

"That is a risky fight for Joshua, and it could ruin a big fight between us if he loses," Fury told The Telegraph.

"Joshua has been a good little polisher boy, polishing up my belts. He is a big strong lad, good power, good physique, but what else can I say? There are levels to this game, and my boxing ability is way more advanced than his is.

"What will they say when the big fat Gypsy King gets in there and makes this Adonis Joshua look like a child in the ring? They'll say he fought me too soon, that he was inexperienced, that he slipped. But you'll see it some time sooner or later."

Fury resolved his case with UK Anti-Doping three days ago with both parties agreeing to backdate his two-year absence as a ban. The 29-year-old former WBO, IBF and WBA world heavyweight champion is now free to fight once more.

In what was his first interview since revealing his struggles with depression, Fury also said he will not be rushed back into fighting.

"I won't be forced into fighting these elite, hard guys until I'm fully fit, mentally and physically. I'll have been out for 2½ years when I fight next, and I've been eating and drinking my way through the country. I've lost four stone. I need to lose another three to four stone.

"I'm not a silly man. I'm very, very sharp when it comes to the business of boxing. I'll go when I feel ready - when I'm a match-fit fighter again. But I won't be rushed back, because one punch can change everything in a heavyweight fight."

The controversial boxing star said his goal is to reclaim the belts he was stripped of and vacated, and believes that he will be ready for a mega fight with Joshua next year.

"They say everything happens for a reason. Someone labelled it the four kings right now, four undefeated heavyweight fighters in myself, Joshua, Parker and [Deontay] Wilder.

"But I labelled it 'three peasants and a king'. There's only one king of the division and that's me. The Mac is Back."