Tyson Fury: Fighting 'big stiff man' Anthony Joshua will be like Muhammad Ali against George Foreman

A number of personal issues have kept Fury on the sidelines since November 2015, when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles, and he remains without a boxing licence.

In his absence fellow Briton Joshua has emerged as the dominant force in boxing's blue riband division, capturing the WBA and IBF crowns and stopping all 20 of his professional opponents.

A bout between the unbeaten pair continues to gather momentum and Fury believes Joshua is a comparable figure to Foreman, a much-feared fighter who had 37 knockout wins in 40 fights prior to facing Ali in Zaire in October 1974.

Fury takes inspiration from Ali, who was stripped of the heavyweight title and was exiled from boxing for three years after refusing to be drafted in the US Army for the Vietnam War before returning to defeat Foreman in one of boxing's biggest upset wins.

Fury posted an image of the two all-time great combatants on Instagram, along with the caption: "This is what's to come!

"The old champ coming back to fight a man who every1 thinks will ko me, same as Ali vs Forman the stylish Ali vs the mummy Forman! We all know what happens in this fight!

Fury also contacted US President Donald Trump on Twitter to ask him to join his ringwalk.

Fury said: "@realDonaldTrump who do you think wins the fury vs AJ fight? You can walk me out if you want, be a part of the biggest fight ever."

Fury, who is still waiting for a final ruling from UK Anti-Doping on a suspended drugs ban after the hearing was adjourned in July, also laid down the gauntlet to WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

He added: "A true champion coming back to claim his thrown. This is my era they are from my time, I must destroy them.

AJ & Wilder I'm coming back for you pair my mission is seek & destroy the only thing on my mind is destruction who ever gets in my way will be dealt with accordingly.

"There's only 1 winner & that's the fans! Let's make the heavyweights great again, fight the best in the division."