Tyson Fury was widely criticised for fighting former UFC champ Francis NgannouCredit: REUTERS

Anthony Joshua will face the MMA superstar in Saudi Arabia on Friday nightCredit: REUTERS

Fury doesn’t believe AJ is getting the same stick for fighting Ngannou as he didCredit: REUTERS

Fury, 35, was maligned for his money grab with the boxing novice as it further delayed his long-overdue undisputed title fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

And the WBC champion believes his detractors aren’t giving Joshua the same treatment.

The Wythenshawe warrior told The Stomping Ground: “I think it’s a great fight, you know. It’s a good fight.

“When I was fighting Ngannou, it was a mismatch and a bulls**t fight, but it is what it is.

“Styles make fights and that’s what it is.”

Ngannou banked a career-high purse for his ‘Battle of the Baddest’ with Fury and is expected to take home a similar payday for his Riyadh rumble with AJ.

And Fury insists the MMA man mountain should be kissing his feet for helping him secure the biggest purses of his combat sports career.

He said: “I’m not sure what people expected of the man before [our fight].

“I know it was supposed to be like a 1000/ 1 shot, and he was useless and he couldn’t fight and all of that.

“But he proved everyone wrong, so fantastic for him.

“I put him on the map, made him a multi-millionaire, and now I’m making him even more money.

“So he needs to thank me.

“He needs to get on his knees and kiss my feet, doesn’t he, for what I’ve done for him.”

Fury eked out a split-decision victory in his desert dust-up with Ngannou, who put him on his backside in a memorable third round.

But he plans to get his own back in a rematch, which he revealed last month to be part of his five-fight plan.

Tyson Fury claims Francis Ngannou should be kissing his feet for helping him land huge paydaysCredit: AFP