Fight with Fury '˜would bring massive attention' '“ Joshua

Anthony Joshua post fight with Wladimir Klitschko following the IBF, WBA and IBO Heavyweight World Title bout at Wembley Stadium, London. (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

Anthony Joshua has set his sights on fighting a 'real villain' as he plans his next move after overcoming Wladimir Klitschko in an epic showdown at Wembley.

Joshua added the WBA title to his IBF crown after stopping Klitschko in the 11th round in front of an estimated 90,000 crowd on Saturday night.

The 27-year-old will have his pick of opponents to choose from as he looks to establish himself further as the world’s leading heavyweight.

A rematch with Klitschko is a possibility, while WBC champion Deontay Wilder has already said he would relish a unification fight, but it is an all-British showdown with Tyson Fury that would most capture the imagination.

Tyson Fury responded to Anthony Joshua calling him out immediately after his victory over Wladimir Klitschko by saying "challenge accepted". (Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

Whoever Joshua comes up against next, he admits he would like to face a “villain”. The Briton, whose fight against Klitschko was played out amidst a backdrop of mutual respect and civility, said: “At the end of the fight they (the British fans) cheered Wladimir, but, yes, it would be nice to fight a real villain.

“We can definitely find someone to dance with again, to bring that sort of attention again. Anyone with a belt is good, to add more to the collection. We could rematch Klitschko. I think that would be good because of the type of fight we had.

“I think even guys without a belt would be good. Tyson Fury obviously hasn’t got a belt, but represents a fight that would bring massive attention from the top to the bottom.”

Fury has not fought since beating Klitschko in November 2015 and last year he surrendered the titles he won in that fight to focus on his mental health problems. It remains to be seen when, or if, Fury returns to the ring, but both he and Joshua have been actively urging the other to make a potential showdown between the two undefeated heavyweights become a reality.

When discussing a potential return with Joshua, Klitschko –whose points defeat by Fury in 2015 means he has lost twice in succession – insisted he had a rematch clause he could choose to exercise.

Klitschko inflicted a first knockdown of Joshua’s career with a devastating right hand in the sixth round, but in the 11th the Ukrainian suffered his second and third knockdowns of the fight before being stopped on his feet.

Joshua said: “I think he will want to (fight me again) because a fighter is the last one to know when it’s time to stop.”