Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has thrown his support behind Anthony Joshua, predicting that Joshua has the ability to knock out Tyson Fury if the long-discussed heavyweight showdown finally takes place, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
During an interview with Fightlens, Bellew voiced his belief in Joshua’s punching power and tenacity, despite conceding that Fury is the more technically skilled boxer.
“I’ve always said this, and I’ll stick to it: Anthony Joshua will be forced to unleash his full potential, and he’ll knock Tyson Fury out,” Bellew remarked. “Is he the better boxer overall? No, but the better fighter doesn’t always win. I’ve been in fights where I’ve beaten opponents who were better than me, like David Haye. I defeated him twice, even though he was more skilled. Styles determine outcomes in boxing.”
A potential clash between Joshua and Fury came close to reality in 2021, with plans for a two-fight deal in Saudi Arabia. However, Fury’s contractual obligation to face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout put the brakes on those plans.
Joshua, who later lost his WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO belts to Oleksandr Usyk, managed to bounce back with wins against Jermaine Franklin, Otto Wallin, and Francis Ngannou. However, his progress took a hit with a surprising loss to Daniel Dubois.
On the other hand, Fury recently announced his retirement following a second defeat to Usyk. Still, the 35-year-old has a history of returning to the ring after previous retirement declarations, including his famous comeback after defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
Hopes for the much-anticipated bout were reignited when Turki Alalshikh, a prominent figure in global boxing, hinted at the possibility of a 2025 showdown between the two heavyweights.
“Fury may be the superior boxer on paper, but Joshua has the strength and determination to shock everyone,” Bellew concluded. “It’s all about styles, and AJ has the tools to make the fight go his way.”
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