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Tyson Fury makes bold claims about possible Joshua bout

Tyson Fury hasn't fought since his victory over Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015. PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images

Tyson Fury believes a bout between himself and Anthony Joshua would resemble Muhammad Ali's 'Rumble in the Jungle' with George Foreman.

A number of personal issues have kept Fury on the sidelines since November 2015, when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles, and he remains without a boxing licence.

In his absence fellow Brit Joshua has emerged as the dominant force in boxing's blue riband division, capturing the WBA and IBF crowns and stopping all 20 of his professional opponents.

A bout between the unbeaten pair continues to gather momentum and Fury believes Joshua is a comparable figure to Foreman, a much-feared fighter who had 37 knockout wins in 40 fights prior to facing Ali in Zaire in October 1974.

Fury takes inspiration from Ali, who was stripped of the heavyweight title and was exiled from boxing for three years after refusing to be drafted in the US Army for the Vietnam War before returning to defeat Foreman in one of boxing's biggest upset wins.

Fury posted an image of the two all-time great combatants on Instagram expressing his thoughts on a potential fight.

This is what's to come! The old champ coming back to fight a man who every1 thinks will ko me, same as Ali vs Forman the stylish Ali vs the mummy Forman! We all know what happens in this fight! I know you all got me whooped, but I will not lay down or be afraid of some muscles 💪 & I have the mentality of a winner a man who has never lost a fight. A true champion coming back to claim his thrown, This is my era they are from my time, I must destroy them. AJ & Wilder I'm coming back for you pair my mission is seek & destroy the only thing on my mind is destruction who ever gets in my way will be dealt with accordingly. There's only 1 winner & that's the fans! Let's make the heavyweights great again, fight the best in the division, Fury= Lineal champ, Joshuar= Ibf-Ibo-wba Wilder= WBC. Parker= Wbo But to be fair Parker is only a young lad & is not on my radar he must gain experience & mature in to a big strong man. I hold my destiny in my own hands. May the best man win good luck everyone #letsgetthispartystarted 2018_2019 the world will see the best fights & see the true heavyweight king 👑 recrowned .

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Anthony Joshua claimed his 20th consecutive knockout victim and reaffirmed his status as boxing's No. 1 heavyweight with a tenth round stoppage win over courageous Carlos Takam on Saturday.