Tyson Fury admitted Anthony Joshua once gave him “a beating” in the ring during a sparring session earlier in their careers.

Both men are on a collision course for an eagerly-anticipated world heavyweight unification bout in 2021.

WBC champion Fury is regarded as the slight favourite should they meet, having never lost in his 31 professional fights.

The Gypsy King even predicted he would knock his rival out “within three rounds” after watching Joshua’s win over Kubrat Pulev on Saturday.

But he could not hide his awe at Joshua’s talents when boxing the-then up and coming amateur back in 2010.

Speaking to BBC Radio London at the time, Fury said: “I came up yesterday from Manchester and I went down to Finchley Boxing Club. I sparred with the ABA Champion, Anthony Joshua.

“To be honest with you, I thought I’m only going to take it easy because he’s only an amateur and he probably won’t spar again if I go mad.

“He’s rushed out at me… BASH, he gave me a big upper cut right in the point of the chin. If I had a bit of a weak chin like David Pryce, I’d have been knocked out for a month.

Fury had only been boxing as a professional for two years when he squared off with Joshua in the practice session.

Just two years later Joshua claimed Olympic gold at London 2012, before launching his own pro career.

This was still some time before Fury shocked the boxing world by defeating Wladimir Klitschko to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, prior to a hiatus from the sport due to his well-documented mental health battles.

But even then Fury had a good grasp on his own abilities, and conceded Joshua had been more than a match for him.

“He’s very, very, very good. He’s only young, watch out for that name! Anthony Joshua. He is one prospect for the future.”