Tyson Fury plays down chances of showdown with Anthony Joshua and claims his heavyweight rival’s career is in ‘tatters’ – as he aims for trilogy fight with Oleksandr Usyk following their highly-anticipated rematch

Tyson Fury believes Anthony Joshua‘s career has broken into pieces following his spectacular knockout defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois in June.

Fury is preparing to take to the ring with Oleksandr Usyk for their highly-anticipated rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night.

The 36-year-old is looking to avenge the only loss of his career, which Usyk handed to him back in May to become the undisputed king of the heavyweight division.

However, Dubois would go on to become IBF heavyweight champion a month later by knocking out Joshua at a sold-out Wembley Stadium after Usyk gave up the belt.

Many had touted Joshua and Fury to face off during their illustrious careers, but the Gypsy King now has his eye on a third fight with the Kyiv Cat instead.

‘When I win on Saturday, I think there’s got to be a trilogy next year for sure,’ Fury told Al Arabiya.

‘Joshua’s in tatters. He has got to pick up the pieces from his last fight. But fighting Usyk on Saturday, and the one after, would be fantastic for me.

‘It’s not revenge, just me smashing his face in. Not in a million years will I walk away after this. All great dance partners have trilogies. Facts.’

Before a third fight is even on the cards, Fury will have to overcome the undefeated Ukrainian fight under the lights at the Kingdom Arena at the weekend.

The first bout would prove to be a tight affair with Fury controlling many of the early rounds and even showboating.

However, Usyk would come back strong to rock the British fighter in the ninth round and control the match until the final bell.

Ultimately, Fury would lose the fight by split decision with the judges scoring the contest 115–112 for Usyk, 114–113 for Usyk, and 114–113 for Fury.

The Gypsy King has now knocked back any suggestions that he underestimated the three-belt heavyweight champion back in May.

‘No, I didn’t. He got a decision over me and won by one point, good luck to the guy,’ he continued.