Joshua added the WBA world heavyweight title to his IBF strap by beating Wladimir Klitschko in April and successfully defended both against Carlos Takam in October to crown a stellar 2017.

Fury meanwhile has not fought since he himself beat Klitschko to become world champion but is back in training and has promised to regain his belts when he makes his return.

And the self-styled “Gypsy King” believes Joshua has added nothing during his absence - except a bit of musculature.

“He can never change that because you can never make a carthorse into a racehorse,” Fury said.

“He’s not built for movement and speed, he’s built for power.

“You can’t make a power man a speed man and without speed and movement in heavyweight boxing you’re a limited fighter.

“He’s still the same man he was when I last boxed two years ago. He’s still the same, just a bit heavier and with a few more muscles on him. That’s it really.

“The man can’t box, he’s not a boxer, he’s a brawler.

“When he gets in there with someone who can box and move, he will get beaten, it’s as simple as that.

“When I say these things, I don’t say it because I don’t like somebody, I say it because I know the truth.

"The truth of the matter is, he will get his head punched in by anyone who can box and move a bit.”

And apart from backing himself to beat Joshua, Fury has also picked WBC champ Deontay Wilder to end the Brit’s unbeaten run, which now stands at 20 fights as a professional.

“If those two fought I believe Wilder would knock him out,” Fury added.

“AJ is a limited opponent. He’s big and strong and that’s it. He isn’t going to bring anything to the ring that you’re not expecting.

“He’s going to come forward in a straight line with his hands up around his head and look to land his power punches and failing that he’s lost.

“Not one of the current heavyweights could ever be considered the man of their era unless they beat me.”