Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is prepared to forego a warm-up fight and challenge Anthony Joshua for the WBA Super and IBF titles immediately.
Due to injuries and suspensions, Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) has not fought since outclassing Wladimir Klitschko for three world titles in November 2015 but took to social media to thrown down the gauntlet to Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs).
Fury said: "As a sporting challenge, I lay down the challenge for Anthony Joshua to fight me in my first fight back for two-and-a-half years.
"I'm the best heavyweight on the planet. Come prove I'm not. The ball is in your court -- don't let your fans down champ. Let's rock you big bum.
As a sporting challenge I Lay Down the challenge for @anthonyfjoshua to fight me in my first fight back in over 2.5 years! I'm the best heavyweight on the planet come prove I'm not? The ball is in your court don't let your fans down CHAMP👍🏼👊🏼 #wanttoseehowgoodiam
— TYSON2FASTFURY (@Tyson_Fury) January 3, 2018
"I'm that good I don't need warm-ups. I can come off the couch and beat up on Anthony Joshua.
"Don't run your big a--- in the bush. Let's fight this summer."
Joshua, 28, is currently in talks over a unification bout against New Zealand's WBO world champion Joseph Parker.