But Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) believes otherwise ahead of his fight against Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) on December 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, to headline a Ring show on Netflix. 

"I'm still the best heavyweight in the world," Fury said in an interview with The Ring's Mike Coppinger. "I'm in good form. There's nothing wrong with me at all. If I thought to myself, I'm not what I was, why would I want to go in the ring and box anymore? To get myself f****** beat by bums who'd never beat me in my prime? If I thought that, why would I want to do it?" 

Fury is ranked No. 3 in the heavyweight division by The Ring. Usyk is The Ring champion, while WBO titleholder Daniel Dubois is rated No. 1 and WBC crownholder Agit Kabayel is No. 2. 

The 6-foot-9 Fury is never short on confidence, and nothing has changed heading into the mega matchup against his decade-long rival Joshua. 

"I'll definitely lay waste to Anthony Joshua, and these heavyweights, even with me at 38 years old, so-called past my best," Fury said. "I'm running as fast, doing as many rounds, and sparring stronger than I've ever been – everything's good."

After losing back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed title in 2024, Fury retired for a fifth time only to return 16 months later in April to begin his comeback tour for Joshua; wins against Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach have followed.

"I've actually got the perfect grounding for this fight," Fury said. "I know activity is where it's all at. It doesn't matter who you fight or what you fight. It's about being active and regular, and going into this fight, it will be my third fight this year, something I haven't done since 2018.

"I fought the biggest punchers in boxing history – Deontay Wilder three times; I fought Wladimir Klitschko. Joshua ain't that type of puncher. He's a volume puncher. So he doesn't have anything that I'm scared of. Why would I be worried about him? I've fought better men than him, and I will destroy him. He's seen better days no more than myself, but I'm ready to throw down, and I don't think he is." 

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.