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A win for Fury against Oleksnadr Usyk means he could fight Joshua for the undisputed belts if ‘AJ’ gets past Francis Ngannou and Tyson has already predicted who would win

If Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua do finally meet in the ring this year, Mike Tyson has backed ‘The Gypsy King’ to get the last laugh.

The domestic rivals are on a collision course to settle their feud if they both win their upcoming fights in Saudi Arabia. Fury will look to become the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since 1999 when he meets Oleksandr Usyk on February 17th whilst Joshua aims to extend his unbeaten streak to four fights against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou on March 8.

Tyson admitted that ‘AJ’ might be the biggest puncher in the heavyweight division but explained why his power could be useless against Fury. “I love Joshua, but I think Tyson’s too elusive, he’s not going to hit him. We’re keeping it honest right? I like Joshua a lot and Joshua maybe punches harder than [Deontay] Wilder, but he doesn’t punch faster than Wilder.

Tyson admitted that ‘AJ’ might be the biggest puncher in the heavyweight division but explained why his power could be useless against Fury. “I love Joshua, but I think Tyson’s too elusive, he’s not going to hit him. We’re keeping it honest right? I like Joshua a lot and Joshua maybe punches harder than [Deontay] Wilder, but he doesn’t punch faster than Wilder.

Tyson’s prediction came at a time when Fury and Joshua signed contracts for an undisputed fight, but an arbitration case meant Fury had to fight Wilder for the third time and Joshua went on to lose his world titles to Usyk. Joshua’s promoter Hearn is praying that Fury can get past Usyk next month to be one step closer to the undisputed domestic clash.

“The winner of this fight gets the winner of Fury vs Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight world championship. For Ngannou, he could become an undisputed champion in just his third fight,” Hearn told TNT Sports. “For us and AJ, we have dreamed about that for so many years. I said to him before the face-off, ‘Two wins and you are undisputed champion’.

“I believe he is going to do it, I really do. I believe he is going to beat Tyson Fury and I believe he is going to beat Tyson Fury. I love Oleksandr Usyk, but I will just say Tyson Fury you have to win this fight. Once he beats Ngannou, we have to make this fight happen. It’s so exciting for boxing we have a path and plan for brilliant fights.”

Anthony Joshua has been backed to have a close fight with Tyson Fury if they ever lock horns in the ring.

Simon Jordan believes the gap between the two Brits has decreased and says the pathway has opened for Joshua to become world champion again.

British boxing fans are desperate to see Joshua and Fury battle it out.

The bout has been mooted for several years but has so far not materialized, with the two fighters taking different paths.

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury
Anthony Joshua has been backed to have a close fight with Tyson Fury

Joshua suffered back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk to put a serious dent in his professional record.

The two-time former world champion has won three fights since last April as he begins to reestablish his name on the heavyweight scene.

Ahead of the March 8 bout against Francis Ngannou, Jordan believes there are still question marks over Joshua due to the level of opponent he has recently faced.

He said on the talkBOXING podcast: “Joshua dealt with Otto Wallin.

“But what we haven’t learned about this ‘Joshua 2.0’ is whether he can take a shot and come back from it in the way he had to against Wladimir Klitschko.

“That’s the overriding question.”

Spencer Oliver then asked Jordan if he thinks Joshua will win a world title again.

Jordan believes he will but isn’t convinced he would beat Fury.

He said: “Yes. I think the pathway’s been cleared for him.

“Does he win a world title against Tyson Fury? I’m not sure. I don’t think so.”

But Jordan was then pressed on whether a Joshua-Fury fight would be ‘closer’ than he originally thought.

He insisted it would, purely because of the level Fury showed the last time he stepped into the ring against Ngannou.

Jordan replied: “Only because of what we’ve seen from Fury in his recent fight.

“And we’ve seen people suggesting the reason why he’s meeting people in the middle of the ring is because he can’t move about anymore.

“The Fury we’ve seen against Dillian Whyte and Deontay Wilder – that Fury beats Joshua.

“The Fury we’ve got now may not do it, but I still think he does.”

Anthony Joshua and Otto Wallin
Anthony Joshua beat Otto Wallin in December

Joshua lost his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles when he was beaten by Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021.

Jordan believes the 34-year-old can become world champion again, even if he doesn’t face either Fury or Usyk, pinpointing Filip Hrgovic as a future target.

Hrgovic looks likely to fight for the IBF heavyweight title this year, which will be vacated due to the Fury-Usyk rematch clause.

Jordan added: “But I go on with your question of, ‘Do I think he [Joshua] wins a world title?’

“Does he win a world title against Oleksandr Usyk? I think Usyk does him again.

“Now, because a pathway’s been cleared, does he win a world title against Filip Hrgovic – who I think is a strong fighter but not a real risk for Joshua compared to what Fury and Usyk are – yes I now do because the landscape has changed…

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will battle it out in February

“Hrgovic lost to Zhilei Zhang and got the result, and wasn’t particularly impressive against Demsey McKean.

“And in his most recent fight against Mark De Mori, well f*** off, it wasn’t a fight for him, was it?

“I think Hrgovic is a decent fighter, but there’s levels in this game and Joshua is on a different level to Hrgovic.”

Ricky Hatton has raised a concern over Tyson Fury ahead of his mega undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

Hatton reckons Fury’s ‘lifestyle’ could mean he has ‘too many miles on the clock’ heading into the bout.

Fury and Usyk will finally step into the ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 17.

The pair have been trash-talking each other for a couple of years but the fight was finally signed last November.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk
Tyson Fury will fight Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia in February

They will put all their belts on the line in one of the most eagerly-anticipated matches in modern boxing history.

Hatton then hopes Fury will enter the ring with fellow Brit Anthony Joshua at some point in the future.

However, he has concerns that Fury’s past may eventually catch up with him.

The 35-year-old has not been shy in detailing his huge weight loss during his break away from the sport.

Fury has since returned and had 10 fights since 2018, including a trilogy against Deontay Wilder.

Fury was sluggish last time out against Francis Ngannou.

And Hatton is worried about possible long-term effects Fury could be suffering from.

He told OLBG: “You don’t get a bigger fight [than Fury v Joshua].

“It’s one of the biggest fights in British boxing history. It’s a great clash of styles.

“Tyson’s always in entertaining fights, so is AJ [Joshua], and it was only a couple of fights ago we thought [Joshua’s] best days were behind him but in his last couple of fights, he has looked really impressive.

Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou
Tyson Fury struggled in his last fight against Francis Ngannou

“But Tyson on the other hand has been the best heavyweight for a good number of years and I still have him as number one, but we just need to know what Tyson has got left.

“Don’t forget it’s not just the three Wilder fights, it’s the lifestyle he’s had as well where he’s had to lose ten stone in the past and what it does to the body and then having them three wars with Deontay Wilder.

“It might be too many miles on the clock for Tyson or maybe he took him lightly because he didn’t look in the best shape.”

Many felt MMA fighter Ngannou deserved the judges’ decision against Fury in his first professional boxing fight last October.

Ngannou will face Joshua in Saudi Arabia in March.

But he has firmly his eyes set on a rematch with Fury by October this year.

Ngannou told MMA Fighting: “I win this fight [against Joshua] and I’m fighting Fury period.

“Whether or not he has the belt. Our rematch term was within next year, so it’s going to be October this year.

“I just want to be free and fight, the thing is with the title is this is a system I don’t want to fall into anymore.

“You have to make a concession with an organization, I don’t want that political stuff.”

Anthony Joshua
Ricky Hatton has doubts over a future Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua fight

Ngannou said in a separate interview with TMZ Sports: “I’m not looking for the winner of Tyson Fury (and Usyk). I’m looking for Tyson.

“Tyson owes me a fight. I don’t give a s**t about the winner of Usyk and Tyson. I’m coming after Tyson. Win or lose, I want Tyson.”

AJ will be watching next month, and he’s finally made his official pick for the superfight in the heavyweight division.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has finally made his official prediction for the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk superfight taking place next month, and he’s gone with his former opponent Usyk to get the job done, as per Boxing Social.

Boxing: Anthony Joshua Rises In Latest Heavyweight Rankings

When asked about the unification fight, which will take place on the 17th of February for all the heavyweight gold, AJ said: “I don’t know. “I’ve fought Usyk. I think he’s a phenomenal fighter and I think he has a great team around him.

“You’re only as good as your team, and he has a great team around him. After being in the ring with him and studying him, still studying him now, I think he’s the one to edge it. Probably because of his experiences, his ring generalship, and ring craft. I think he’s top-tier.”

Anthony Joshua & Tyson Fury don’t see eye-to-eye
It is not surprising that Anthony Joshua has come out and publicly backed the Ukrainian fighter, after supposedly being continually disrespected by Fury in the past.

“I don’t know, but I’m team Usyk anyway,” he confirmed. “[There’s] a respect, but Fury’s said a lot of bad things about me. I’m never going to ride with someone that disrespects me. That would make me a lunatic, and I’m pretty level-headed. So I’m going to go with the person who shows me respect.”

Despite tension between Fury and Joshua, they have never actually fought. Many boxing fans have called for a fight, proposing what would undoubtedly be the biggest fight in British boxing history, but for one reason or another, it’s a fight that has simply never been made. We came so, so close the other year, but Deontay Wilder had other plans, activating his right for a rematch against Fury, which all-but ended discussions of an all-British heavyweight superfight.

Anthony Joshua: Briton to face ex-UFC fighter Ngannou in Saudi Arabia,  confirms promoter Hearn - BBC Sport

AJ knows what Usyk can bring to the ring
Joshua lost both fights to Usyk via the judges’ scorecards
Despite not sharing the ring with The Gypsy King, Joshua has got experience of fighting Uysk, on two separate occasions, to be exact. The former cruiserweight world champion is a seasoned winner, never tasting defeat in his professional career and defeating AJ both times they’ve faced off. The first fight was won via unanimous decision, and the rematch was then won via split decision, showcasing just how good the Ukrainian really is.

The much awaited fight will take place next month, on the 17th of February, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, with fans, fighters, and experts alike all being split on their predictions of who will become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

‘The Gypsy King’ has more experience than Usyk, despite only being one year older, and has won 13 more fights than his upcoming opponent, however, both boxers have never lost. The Brit, though, has drawn once to Wilder, with Usyk never having drawn and always leaving the ring victorious.

Usyk’s strengths lie in his technical brilliance, fast footwork, and creativity, and he often relies on accumulative damage over knockouts to defeat his opponents. Fury, on the other hand, has obvious height and reach advantages, and is somewhat an unpredictable fighter. He carefully studies and tailors his boxing style to each opponent, and has a diverse technical ability which could pose a problem for Usyk.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to fight next month to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

Usyk brings the WBA, WBO and IBF belts to the table, pitted against Fury’s WBC for the historic contest that will, in many minds, show the best of a generation.

With two tricky styles, the fight could be won on game-plan alone, and thus a lot of eyes are on how each man prepares. Someone who knows them in the gym well is Martin Bakole.

The heavyweight contender is a regular sparring partner of Fury’s – although not for this particular bout – and has claimed to have stopped Usyk in the gym in the past.

Speaking to IFL TV, Bakole said he can see a path to victory for both of his former sparring partners but ultimately sat on the fence when it comes to the final result.

This is a hard question. Very hard question. 50/50. On points I can see Usyk, and knockout, it maybe a surprise, but the Gypsy King. Because he has to fix his mistakes, you know, people judge him against Ngannou. Imagine if he stops Usyk, they will say that the Ngannou fight was a little bit of a mistake, he didn’t take it serious.”

“It’s so hard because I know Usyk is world class. Top class movement. But the Gypsy King … I’ll go draw for me.”

Whilst Usyk has put an open call out for sparring partners who feel they can emulate the giant Brit, Fury’s camp has spoken to cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia as well as rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma.

Many fans feel both men showed vulnerabilities in their last outings, making this one, set for Riyadh on February 17, all the more intriguing.

Fury and Usyk’s undisputed heavyweight world title fight is just six weeks away but former champion Shawn Porter doesn’t think it will take place

Tyson Fury has been predicted to pull out of his undisputed heavyweight world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury takes on fellow world champion Usyk for all of the marbles at heavyweight on February 17th in Saudi Arabia. The Brit is hoping for a more convincing performance than in his last fight as former UFC champion Francis Ngannou came close to beating him last October. Fury had to pick himself up off the canvas in that fight to win by just one point in a controversial decision.

The undisputed fight is just over six weeks away but retired world champion Shawn Porter is still unconvinced it will go ahead. “Even with the fight being signed sealed and delivered I don’t feel like this is the kind of energy that he wants to that he wants to exert any more in the boxing ring,” Porter told ProBox TV.

“You look at a guy like Tyson Fury, a guy who has been around this track so many times. I think that a fighter will get to a point where they see the hardest night ahead of them and they’re like, ‘Man, I just had so many of those hard nights, I am not going to have that hard night’.

Oleksandr Usyk breaks silence over Tyson Fury fight collapse and calls Brit  a 'very bad copy' of Muhammad Ali | talkSPORT

“What we know about Tyson Fury is that he is a showman, what we know about Tyson Fury is that he likes things to be his way or no way. Which is why he went after Francis Ngannou, because those are the kind of fights that he is looking for. He is looking for things that are going to give him the money and the recognition and the nights that he is not going to have to train hard for anymore.”

Fury flew out to Saudi Arabia on New Year’s Eve to continue his preparations for the fight but confused fans after releasing a video that was seemingly filmed in England just days later. Little has been heard on Usyk’s end in recent weeks whilst Fury has continued his verbal assault of the Ukrainian.

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua 'interesting' say WBC | Fury gives Joshua two  possible dates for the fight | Boxing News | Sky Sports

“Another big day of running in the f****ng mountains! Come on! Easy work, smashing Usyk’s little rabbit face right in for him. Useless piece of s***,” Fury said in a recent clip mocking Usyk as he captioned the post: “Working hard for the undisputed heavyweight championship 2024” along with the hashtag “run rabbit run”

Tyson Fury’s promoter believes that Francis Ngannou has earned a rematch following their first clash.

The pair fought in October last year and Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion who was making his boxing debut, shocked the world, as he took WBC heavyweight champion Fury the distance and came close to emerging victorious.

Ngannou performed surprisingly well against Fury
Ngannou performed surprisingly well against Fury

Ngannou knocked Fury down in the third round and lost by a narrow split decision, although many people believed the Cameroonian had done enough to claim victory.

As such, Top Rank CEO Todd DuBoef thinks that Ngannou deserves a rematch.

“That’s an earned ability to get the rematch. He earned that,” Du Boef told Sky Sports.

“His performance dictated that, ‘Woah, he has a chance. We never thought he had a chance’ and in that situation I think absolutely.

“I think Tyson is regretful. He blamed himself. He thought he had an off night.

Was Francis Ngannou knocking Tyson Fury down the biggest boxing upset in  2023? | Video | Watch TV Show | Sky Sports

“He said: ‘I took it lightly. It was all on me.’ Didn’t point fingers, which was good.

“Ngannou outperformed anybody’s expectation and as a result of that you have all the components to say, hey, I want to see this again and that creates and warrants a rematch.”

For the time being, however, Fury is occupied as he has an upcoming undisputed heavyweight world title clash with Oleksandr Usyk on February 17.

The bout could see the first undisputed heavyweight champion crowned in the four belt era.

Otto Wallin has spoken out for the first time since being stopped by Anthony Joshua after just five rounds on December 23.

Before the Day of Reckoning, a portion of boxing fans were backing Wallin to spring an upset and derail a planned fight between AJ and Deontay Wilder.

Joshua was at his blistering best agaisnt Wallin
Joshua was at his blistering best agaisnt Wallin

However, after ‘The Bronze Bomber’ spoiled the mega-money clash by being easily outpointed by Joseph Parker on the undercard, Joshua rolled back the years in the main event.

The former two-time heavyweight champion dominated Wallin from the first bell and forced the stoppage after just five rounds of boxing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In his first interview since his second career defeat, the Swedish contender refused to make any excuses and praised his opponent for a great performance.

“I know that he is one of the best fighters out there,” Wallin told Boxing News.

Boxing: Joshua beats Wallin as Parker outpoints Wilder in Riyadh | Boxing  News | Al Jazeera

“I really have no excuses, he was just better. He did really well, used his reach well, and he hit me with some really good shots. He was just better.

“I think he had a good game plan. He felt like a very good fighter, and obviously, it was a much tougher fight than what I had with Tyson Fury. Maybe he’s found his home with Ben Davison.”

Wallin’s nose was pouring with blood after round five, and his long-time coach, Joey Gamache, made the bold decision to pull his fighter out early.

The 33-year-old didn’t dispute the call at the time, and over a week later he still feels his trainer did the right thing.

In 2019, Wallin almost pulled off an upset win over Tyson Fury
In 2019, Wallin almost pulled off an upset win over Tyson Fury

“I didn’t disagree [with the stoppage],” Wallin added.

“Joey told me, ‘I’m going to stop it.’ And I didn’t say anything. Joey has been with me for ten years, he’s seen me training and in almost all my fights – he’s never pulled me out of anything.

“I trust Joey, he is always looking out for me. I feel very happy that I have a trainer who puts my health first. There’s a life after boxing, so I’m really appreciative that he is looking out for me.”

Wallin confirmed he suffered a fractured nose during the fight, and revealed a surgery to repair it has already taken place – but may need to go under the knife again.

“I’ve gotta heal up,” he said when asked what he plans to do next.

“I’m going to the hospital on Tuesday to deal with my nose.

“I had a surgery after the fight, and I might need another one.”

Anthony Joshua is starting to look back to his best and is eyeing some big fights in 2024 after dispatching Otto Wallin.

AJ turned in a top display to stop the Swede in Saudi Arabia just before Christmas to make it three wins from three since back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua was in fine form against Wallin
Joshua was in fine form against Wallin

The plan was for Joshua to face Deontay Wilder should he beat Joseph Parker, but the American lost via unanimous decision to leave those plans in tatters.

Anthony Joshua next fight: Is his next opponent confirmed?
No, Joshua’s next bout is yet to be confirmed.

The plan was for Joshua and Wilder to win their respective fights to set up a huge event in March 2024 between the two former world champions.

The deal between the two camps was all but agreed, but after Wilder’s defeat, those plans are ruined.

Instead, a date with Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic looks to be AJ’s next bout.

Hrgovic is the IBF’s current number one, and a mandatory challenge for that belt is long overdue.

Of course, Tyson Fury is fighting Usyk for that title in early 2024.

However, the duo have signed a two-fight deal, meaning the IBF belt will become vacant before their rematch, so Joshua would face Hrgovic for that title.

Hrgovic will probably be AJ's next opponent
Hrgovic will probably be AJ’s next opponent

Meanwhile, Frank Warren suggested that Joshua should face Daniel Dubois.

The Brit recovered from his controversial defeat to Usyk to stop Jarrell Miller on the same card as Joshua’s fight against Wallin.

So that’s an option for AJ as well.

However, a potentially more glamorous bout than either of those two would be a clash against the winner of Fury vs Usyk.

Joshua has yet to face Fury in his career despite several rounds of talks over the years, but for whatever reason, it’s never happened.

It’s a fight that would capture the general public and could see the debate about who is better finally settled.

Fury and Joshua would be a massive fight
Fury and Joshua would be a massive fight

And if Usyk wins, you would think this new-look Joshua would love a crack at some revenge.

He’s faced the Ukrainian twice and comfortably lost both times, so he would want to right that wrong.

Therefore, there are plenty of options open to Joshua.

Anthony Joshua fight: When will it happen?
Joshua would have faced Wilder in Saudi Arabia on March 9, 2024, if all had gone to plan.

Of course, Wilder lost, so that looks to be off.

Any title fight with Hrgovic would have to wait until after Fury and Usyk’s clash on February 17, 2024.

That would also be the same if he were to fight the winner of that superstar fight.

Therefore, unless Joshua takes on Dubois, we could be waiting until mid-2024 to see AJ back in action.

Joshua is ready to take on anyone
Joshua is ready to take on anyone

Anthony Joshua next fight: What’s been said?
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed after the Day of Reckoning in Saudi Arabia that a date with Hrgovic was most likely to be AJ’s next bout.

He said: “It was a tough decision between the championship and Wilder.

“We signed for Wilder, he lost tonight.

“But maybe it’s a blessing because he wants to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

“Now it’s gonna be AJ vs Hrgovic for the world title.”

Hearn wants to see Fury and Joshua finally clash, although thinks Hrgovic is more likely
Hearn wants to see Fury and Joshua finally clash, although thinks Hrgovic is more likely

However, Hearn also revealed he wants to see AJ face Fury.

He said: “I’ll be honest, I’d love to see him fight Fury.

“If Tyson Fury can beat Oleksandr Usyk, then I’d love to see him fight Tyson Fury. I’d love that fight.

“I hope that Tyson can be triumphant in that fight, but we’ll go away now – obviously coming into tonight, we had our plans for March, but now we reassess.”

Meanwhile, Warren is really pushing Dubois.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he said: “For me, [Dubois] could fight any of those guys in the top ten. Even AJ would be a good fight. I’d watch that all day long.”

But AJ wants Fury.

Speaking immediately after dispatching Wallin, he was asked about his next opponent and said: “100 per cent Tyson Fury, but I’m not dodging Hrgovic, by the way.

“I’ll fight Hrgovic as well.”

Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk is one of the toughest fights to call in early 2024 but Riddick Bowe thinks he knows exactly the round in which it will end.

This fight had been a long time coming but is now fast approaching with February 17 in Saudi Arabia just weeks away. The build-up has seen plenty of people wondering about how Fury is going to fair given that he was below par in his last fight against Francis Ngannou.

His own father thinks there has been something of a decline and the huge Day of Reckoning card last week also had an impact on his resume with former foes Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder both being easily beaten by Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker respectively.

Meanwhile, Ukranian Usyk has continued to show superb form since coming up from being undisputed cruiserweight champion with back-to-back wins over Joshua and then a second defence of his three heavyweight world title belts against Daniel Dubois.

Speaking to Fight Hype, Bowe doesn’t think the fight will make it to the halfway point.

“I think it will be a great fight but I’m going to go with Tyson, I think he’ll get to him in the 5th round.”

That would be some performance for Fury to knock out a man who has not yet been put down in the heavyweight division.