Anthony Joshua: Finest man in boxing in unlikely bromance with Fury

Anthony Joshua appears to have struck up an unexpected bromance with an unlikely ally in John Fury - the father of long-time rival Tyson Fury.

The former two-time unified heavyweight champion was filmed sharing a warm handshake with the senior Fury ahead of his showdown with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

Their super-friendly interaction came as a surprise given the very public criticism Joshua has faced from both Tyson Fury and his outspoken dad John in the past.

However, it seems Joshua's shredded physique for the Ngannou clash has won over even one of his harshest critics in the Fury patriarch.

After running into each other at the fighter’s hotel, the pair shared a hug before John admitted to being blown away by Joshua's impressive size and stature according to a report by the Sun.

"He's probably the finest man in boxing isn't he?" an awestruck John told the assembled crowd after shaking AJ's hand.

As Joshua then started shadowboxing, Fury Senior encouraged: "Get up there my boy," per the report.

"A pleasure to meet you as well, sir," Joshua responded after hearing John say "some pleasant things” about him.

The warm exchange is sure to raise eyebrows given the frosty relationship between Joshua and Tyson Fury over the past few years.

With a lucrative undisputed heavyweight title fight still seemingly up for grabs between the British pair, Fury may not take too kindly to his own father's blooming man-crush on his bitter rival.

Then again, with AJ's sights firmly set on bigger targets after coasting past former UFC star Ngannou, the former champion may just be revelling in his new-found support from an unlikely source in John Fury.