Although Tyson Fury's proposed bout with Anthony Joshua appears to be dead in the water, the latter remains in the WBC heavyweight champion's head.

That is according to Fury's next opponent, Derek Chisora.

The Gypsy King will defend his title against Chisora on December 3 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in what will be the third fight between the pair.

Fury beat Chisora when they first met in 2011, before also defeating him almost eight years ago.

A deal recently seemed to have been reached for Fury to face Joshua, with both parties appearing optimistic about contracts being signed.

However, after missing a deadline imposed by Fury, the champion's camp called negotiations off and instead turned attention to a bout against Chisora.

Despite being the new contender, Chisora has claimed Fury is unable to take his focus off Joshua, and defended AJ's decision not to sign the deal.

"AJ is living in Tyson's head rent-free," Chisora said. "Tyson wakes up every day thinking about AJ and cannot do an interview without mentioning AJ.

"AJ is off living his life, doing his own thing. I don't know why Tyson keeps talking about AJ.

"AJ could not take the fight because there were so many complications with sponsors and promoters.

"The fighters always want to fight, just fight, but the complications come from the business people around them who get in the way."