JOE JOYCE has challenged Anthony Joshua to a Wembley war following his former sparring partner’s recent dig on social media.
Joshua’s rematch with unified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk is currently in major doubt as the Ukrainian is on the frontline defending his nation against a Russian invasion.
Olympic medallists Joe Joyce and Anthony Joshua used to be sparring partners
But AJ recently claimed he’d KO his former sparring partner in one round
And The Juggernaught has responded by challenging him to a Wembley war
AJ has entertained the prospect of taking a warm-up fight should his clash with Uysk be delayed, a statement that prompted Joyce to throw his hat into the ring.
Alongside a mock-up poster of himself and Joshua with Wembley Stadium in the background, Joyce tweeted: “This fight would be massive.
“I’m highly ranked and undefeated. Let’s Get It! #THEJUGGERNAUT.”
Joyce’s call-out of AJ came after the Watford warrior responded to a fan’s claim he wouldn’t face his old sparring partner.
He responded: “‘Rolls Eyes…’ You really think I wouldn’t fight [Joe Joyce]?”
The 32-year-old added: “Lol ok … I’ve shared this ring with most people you see in the heavyweight division today!
“I boxed Otto Wallin twice as youngsters & I boxed Joe and stopped him in 1 round. I’d do the same thing today! Ain’t nothing changed.”
Joyce responded to the taunt from AJ by tweeting: “Let’s Go, My Yout! Let’s do it in Nigeria! #THEJUGGERNAUT.”
Olympic silver medallist Joyce, 36, has shared the ring with Joshua on numerous occasions as a sparring partner.
And the Juggernaught believes their knowledge of each other would make for a fascinating domestic dust-up.
He told BT Sport: “AJ, I’ve shared the ring with before when I was very inexperienced, you know.
“[It was a] steep learning curve for me at the time.
“Spent a lot of time with him on the GB training camp, for what, for like four-five years.
“So, we know each other inside and out and it will make one of the biggest British heavyweight clashes.”
Mandatory WBC heavyweight title challenger Joyce hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his sixth-round TKO victory over Carlos Takam last July.
Joshua, meanwhile, last took to the ring for his ill-fated defence of the unified heavyweight titles against Usyk last September.
