John Fury’s brilliant reaction after meeting Anthony Joshua ahead of Francis Ngannou fight

John Fury is known for his no-nonsense, trash talk in boxing circles during the build-up of mega fights involving his sons Tyson Fury and Tommy Fury.

Tyson, the WBC heavyweight world champion, has a long held rivalry with fellow Brit Anthony Joshua and there is genuine hope the pair could collide for the undisputed heavyweight world title later this year.

Fury must get past WBA, IBF and WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk in May first, though, while Joshua has to beat former UFC heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou on Friday, too.

John Fury meets Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia

Fury’s youngest son, Roman, is on the undercard of Joshua vs Ngannou and he is in Riyadh ahead of Friday’s mega fight in Saudi Arabia.

So, Joshua and Fury Sr inevitably crossed paths for the first time on Sunday and despite Fury’s propensity for controversial trash talk, he was refreshingly respectful towards his son’s rival.

The pair embraced, before Joshua said: “How are you? I have watched everything you have said.” Fury then laughed and then said to the watching media: “He is a f*****g big fella, isn’t he?”

Joshua replied: “It is land of the giants, isn’t it? The heavyweight division is changing up.”

Fury then said it was “great to meet” Joshua as conversation then turned towards Roman, before the pair wished each other luck and went their separate ways.

One fan tweeted: “Big John is in awe of AJ. It’s all just trash talk at the end of the day,” while another added: “Love the respect!”

Joshua was participating in a media day ahead of the fight week schedule ramping up before Friday’s main event in the Saudi capital.