Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker: Joshua takes dig at Tyson Fury ahead of unification showdown

Fury is desperate to fight Joshua after two-and-half-years away from the sport

Anthony Joshua fights Joseph Parker on March 31 (Getty)

Anthony Joshua appears to have taken a dig at his heavyweight rival Tyson Fury, remarking: “One fight doesn’t define us.”

Joshua meets Joseph Parker in Cardiff on March 31, with the WBA, IBF and WBO titles all on the line.

But a fight with Fury – who won the same three titles when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 – continues to linger in the distance.

Fury has repeatedly pushed for a fight with Joshua since returning to training, but the reigning champion has WBC belt holder Deontay Wilder in his sights and could not resist a dig at his absent rival when speaking to the press this week.

“One fight doesn't define us - if it did, I would be sitting back on the throne after my Klitschko fight,” Joshua told Sky Sports.

“But I've got to keep on going. And if you take a hiccup in your career, that shouldn't define you either.

“From my 16th fight when I challenged for the world title, every fight has been a championship fight and something to remember. This fight [against Parker] is very significant - it is history.”

Fury remains unbeaten in his 25-fight career but remains without a promoter after making his return to the sport.

Tyson Fury was stripped of all his belts (Getty)

However Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, is keen to promote him and offered him a route towards Joshua if he joined his stable.

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“If he comes with us, there's a very straightforward road into a lot of heavyweight fights. Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, Tony Bellew,” Hearn said.

“Ultimately the grand prize of Joshua because that is a huge fight.”