Anthony Joshua fired a broadside at British rival Tyson Fury, calling the 'Gypsy King' a "fraud" and accused him of "letting boxing down" after their world heavyweight unification title fight was thrown into doubt.
Joshua and Fury, who between them own all four heavyweight titles, were set for the first of two blockbuster fights on August 14 before a US judge this week ordered that Fury must fight American challenger Deontay Wilder before September 15.
On Tuesday, Fury claimed that Wilder had requested $20 million to "move over" and allow the Joshua bout to go ahead.
Joshua questioned why Fury, 32, had announced they would fight when arbitration proceedings were still going on.
"Tyson Fury the world now sees you for the fraud you are. You've let boxing down. You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight," Joshua tweeted.
"Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly."
Fury (30-0-1) responded by saying Joshua's team knew arbitration was going on and the matter was "out of my hands". He also challenged Joshua to a bare-knuckle fight.
"I'll slap your bald head and you'll do nothing," Joshua, 31, tweeted in response.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn is considering alternative plans for his fighter, including a bout with Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk - the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt.
"We want to be in a position by the end of this week to know are we fighting Tyson Fury or are we moving forward with another option," Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing, said.
Joshua (24-1) was set to put his IBF, WBO and WBA titles on the line against WBC belt-holder Fury on August 14 in Saudi Arabia in the first of two fights announced by the pair earlier this year.
Fury, undefeated in 31 professional bouts, became a two-time world champion when he scored a sensational seventh-round stoppage over Wilder in Las Vegas 15 months ago. The first fight, in December 2018, had ended in a draw.
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Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder during their rematch in Las Vegas in February 2020. -
Tyson Fury celebrates defeating Deontay Wilder to win the WBC World Heavyweight Championship at the Garden Arena in Las Vegas. -
Tyson Fury celebrates with the belts after winning the fight. -
Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder in the fifth round. -
Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder. -
Tyson Fury celebrates after knocking down Deontay Wilder. -
Tyson Fury watches Deontay Wilder hit the canvas. -
Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder. -
Tyson Fury in action against Deontay Wilder. -
Tyson Fury at the end of the first round. -
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder in the first round. -
Deontay Wilder enters the ring. -
Tyson Fury arrives in the arena. -
Tyson Fury makes his entrance. -
Former Heavyweight Champions Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield. -
Former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis in the ring. -
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson before the fight. -
NFL player Patrick Mahomes attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
Boxing Hall of Fame member Mike Tyson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
Former NFL player Chad Ochocinco Johnson. -
Boxing Hall of Fame member Thomas Hearns attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
NBA Hall of Fame member Magic Johnson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and head coach John Gruden.
