Anthony Joshua Predicts Usyk Triumph Over Tyson Fury in Title Bout Showdown
With the highly anticipated showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk just around the corner, former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has weighed in on the impending clash. Having faced Usyk in the ring twice, Joshua offered his insights into the matchup, predicting a favorable outcome for the Ukrainian boxer.
Speaking in an interview with talkSPORT’s Jon Jackson, Joshua emphasized his firsthand experience with Usyk’s prowess, hailing him as a “phenomenal fighter” who executes every aspect of the sport meticulously. Drawing from his encounters with Usyk, Joshua expressed confidence in the former unified champion’s ability to emerge victorious against Fury.
However, Joshua acknowledged his limited exposure to Fury’s fighting style, having never squared off against the “Gypsy King” himself. Despite his inability to comment on Fury’s performance, Joshua reiterated his belief in Usyk’s capabilities, tipping him for success in the upcoming bout.
“…that is the next big fight coming up, Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury; just tell me, how’s that gonna go?”
“Well, look, I’ve fought Oleksandr Usyk, so I can go only speak on what I have experienced from him. Phenomenal fighter does everything to a tee, and I would say he is going to do a really good job,” said Anthony Joshua.
‼️ Anthony Joshua has predicted that Oleksandr Usyk will beat Tyson Fury on May 18th: “I’ve fought Usyk so I can only speak on what I’ve experienced with him – phenomenal fighter, I would say he’s gonna do a really good job. I’ve never fought Fury, so I can’t speak on what it’s…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 27, 2024
Tyson Fury. “I have never fought Tyson Fury, so I can’t really speak on how he will perform or what it is like to face him,” he said. Then finally concluded, “So only speaking on what I know, I would have to say Oleksandr Usyk will be victorious.”
The significance of Joshua’s perspective stems from his own battles with Usyk, which resulted in two consecutive defeats for the British boxer. Their initial encounter at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021 saw Usyk deliver a masterful performance, outclassing Joshua to claim the unified titles.
In their rematch a year later in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Joshua showed improvement but ultimately fell short once again, succumbing to Usyk’s skillful tactics and suffering a split decision loss. These experiences have provided Joshua with valuable insights into Usyk’s fighting style and proficiency in the ring.
While discussions of a potential matchup between Joshua and Fury have circulated in the past, negotiations have yet to materialize into a definitive bout. Despite the hurdles, the prospect of a showdown between the two British heavyweights remains tantalizing, especially with the backing of influential figures like His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia.
With Fury and Usyk set to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion on May 18, speculation mounts regarding the potential ramifications for Joshua’s future in the division. Having recently secured a victory over Francis Ngannou, Joshua stands poised to challenge the winner of the Fury-Usyk bout, pending the outcome of their rematch clause agreement.
As the boxing world awaits the culmination of this epic clash, Joshua’s endorsement of Usyk adds fuel to the fire, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown between two formidable champions.