Tyson Fury is world’s number one heavyweight NOT Anthony Joshua, insists Ricky Hatton
Despite Joshua holding three of the four major championships in the heavyweight division, Hatton says Fury is the best
Tyson Fury should be considered the number one heavyweight boxer in the world.
That's the claim from Ricky Hatton, after Fury's fight against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder ended in a controversial draw.
Former light-welterweight champion Hatton, who was in Fury's corner at the Staples Center, : “If Tyson had the WBC title I think most people would still see Anthony as the No1.
“Personally, I see Tyson as No1. He never lost his belts in the ring and he has just boxed Wilder, an unbeaten champion with an unbelievable knockout record and he did it in his backyard.
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“In the two years Tyson has battled back to do that fight, Eddie Hearn and Anthony – and I love Anthony by the way – they have been negotiating.
“They spent two years sat around a table haggling over this and that and Tyson has gone and done it.
“People will not share my opinion and I probably am a little bit bias but Tyson, the lineal champion, went over and did that and I think he needs the respect he deserves."
Joshua, who holds three of the four major championships with only Wilder's WBC missing, is keen to insert himself into the equation and recently laid out his preferred route for 2019.
"I’m not interested in Tyson Fury – he’s not the champion," said Joshua.
"I’m willing to fight Deontay Wilder on 13 April in London. I don’t know what more I need to do to get that message across. He’s more interested in fighting Tyson Fury. Fury holds no world titles.
"I’ve booked the date in advance, booked the venue in advance. I want to make my point clear in front of everyone – I’m willing to fight any one of these guys, especially the champion Deontay Wilder.
"I’m the one leading the pack since I made my debut. Five years in, several title defences and I’m running the game. I mean business. I don’t know what more I need to do to get that message across to the world. I can handle my business and I’m willing to do that in the ring."