Anthony Joshua has slammed rival Tyson Fury for the way he handled Oleksandr Usyk ahead of his defeat.
Fury suffered the same fate as Joshua last month, losing on points to Usyk and missing out on the chance to become the unbeaten champion.
Before the defeat, Fury had called the Ukrainian a “rabbit” and mocked his size, while suggesting the fight would be an easy one on the night.
But AJ said “The Gypsy King” deserved to lose and claimed he acted wrong.
He told reporters: “I'm happy Fury isn't the undisputed champion, I just think he's an idiot.”
“If it was anyone else, I might feel bad because I always say he's an idiot and very rude.”
“I don't mind, but I feel like he thinks he'll feel better by stepping on other people.”
“I'm not competing with anyone. I'm on my own path, but he has to trample on others to feel better. That's not good.”
“The way he disrespected Usyk, being a 'rabbit' and a 'middleweight' — that's not good for the sport.”
“If I respect you and you respect me, it will help elevate the sport and people will think we are two of the best fighters in the world.”
“But Fury stomps you around, makes you look like a guy who's just come out of the pub and isn't on your level, and he gets slammed. He deserves it.”
Joshua previously had a good relationship with Fury but the rivalry has intensified in recent years after they were unable to agree a fight.
Things nearly got tense as the two men discussed a possible fight over FaceTime with Saudi Arabia's boxing chief, Turki Al-Arshik.
AJ has also lost twice to Usyk but is still targeting a fight with the Briton, which could happen in 2025.
Fury is first looking to exact revenge on “The Cat” on December 21st and he is confident he can achieve it.
Joshua is next scheduled to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF World title on September 21 and, if he wins, he could find himself in the ring with the winner of that fight.
The former Olympic gold medallist insists he does not want to wait until he is 40 to face Fury and has suggested his own boxing record does not live up to expectations.
He continued, “I don't care anymore if he wins or loses. I just want to fight him. It's just dragging on.”
“Fury is avoiding a lot of people. He hasn't fought a lot of top class fighters. I hope he works harder and fights me and doesn't waste my time.”
“I don't want to wait until I'm 40, 41, 42 to fight him. He's in a position to make his own decision. As for the fans, I know what they want.”
“We tried to make the fight happen, a deal was made but then it fell apart. Hopefully after this the fight can finally happen.”
