Tyson Fury will have advantage over Anthony Joshua in 'speed and movement' says Ricky Hatton

Former multiple division champion Ricky Hatton believes Tyson Fury will have an undoubted "speed and movement advantage" over current heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Fury and Joshua have been trash-talking each other on Twitter ever since it emerged that the two Britons could potentially face off in 2018.

Fury, who last fought in November 2015, is currently awaiting the UK Anti-Doping body's hearing set for him in December, after his boxing licence was revoked over a failed drug test and him admitting to using cocaine.

However, he is back in the gym training as he looks to shed the weight that he gained over the past year. Helping him is fellow Manchester native Hatton, who has been sparring with the "Gypsy King".

Hatton gave an update on the former champion's weight loss. "He's lost three stone and he wouldn't be the first one to admit he wants to lose another four," he said, as quoted by BoxingScene.

"But the main thing is that he's setting his stall out. Tyson has had a few issues along the way. He's been in my gym a lot the last few weeks and he's looking really, really happy. It looks like he's got his mojo back and he wants to train – and wants to get fit – and it would be nice to see as a fellow Mancunian.

"We had a heavyweight champion of the world in Manchester that we could be really proud of. He's had his problems but let's give him a fair crack of the whip and give him a go at putting his life back together. He's doing that slowly but surely, and it's brilliant to see him in that way."

Fury has long believed that he would emerge victorious against Joshua due to his superior footwork, movement and boxing ability. Hatton claims that even with Fury's current weight issues, his hands are really fast, adding that it will be even faster, along with his movement, when he sheds the excess weight.

"He's sparring. He actually sparred eight rounds in the gym the other day," Hatton added. "His hands are really fast – and that's carrying a load of excess [weight].

"Once he sheds that weight, along with his movement, if he fought Anthony Joshua, he would definitely have an advantage in speed and movement. And with a little bit of extra weight off him, he would definitely have a good chance."