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• Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua has vowed to haunt Tyson Fury long after they belatedly settle their bitter rivalry.

The two British heavyweights each ruled the world in their prime without ever crossing paths in the ring. But providing Joshua, 36, swats aside Kristian Prenga tonight, he and Fury, 37, will finally collide later this year. Their long-awaited showdown will be a clash of personalities as much as a contrast of fighting styles.

Joshua has held his tongue for a decade in the face of a tirade of abuse from his fellow countryman. The Olympic champion has been a poster boy for his bluechip sponsors while Fury thinks nothing of crossing the line between class and crass. The Gypsy King believes he can shatter his rival's corporate veneer and expose his raw working-class roots. But Joshua is confident he won't let his mask slip.

"Tyson Fury won't get under my skin," he said. "It's about boxing and it's about skill; I'm not trying to win a press conference, I'm not trying to win a weigh-in. I'm trying to win a fight. I don't think the Anthony Joshua from Watford needs to come out in that aspect, it needs to come out in the ring. I will let him talk and let him have his fun.

"I've seen Fury's community, and they're unbelievable talkers; that's the culture they're from. They have no problem calling each other out and saying, 'I'll drive 60 miles next week and meet you down there'. I can't go up against someone who has been doing it since he was 10 years old and think I'm going to win.

"I've got to let him do what he's good at, and my job is to beat him in the ring. There will be nothing better than getting my hand raised." Fury has taken every opportunity to run his mouth throughout his colourful career. He has even allowed Netflix into every crevice of his life through his hit series At Home With The Furys.

But while Joshua is happy to remain in the shadows for now, he is relishing the day that changes. "I'm too tired half the time, to be honest," he added. "My main focus is the sport and it's draining. Just trying to achieve a little bit in boxing is draining. It's not just turning up and training, it's trying to make the right decisions, trying to sleep better... it's a lot of pressure

"I don't know how Fury has the energy for it, to be honest; he boxes, he does Netflix, and he talks! I don't really get too involved in the he-said-she-said, but once this part of my life is done, you'll hear a lot more from me. When Fury wants to relax, when he's finished, I'll just be revving it up and he will see me coming.

"I'll let him win the first 100m, the first 200m, but after that I will still be going. It will be that last 100m, when the race is ending, that I will be coming for him."