It’s going down. The heavyweight boxing bout of the decade is happening. WBC World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury is set to trade leather with WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua, in what is one of the most anticipated boxing matches in recent memory.
Following months of intense negotiations between competing promoters and rival networks, the two sides have come together on a two-fight deal to unify the heavyweight world titles. With terms of the agreement now in place, it seems it’s only a matter of time before we see Fury lock horns with Joshua in the ring.
Fury and Joshua are #1 and #2 on most heavyweight rankings, making this fight very timely. Both men have similar records, with Fury boasting of an unblemished 30-0-1 slate with 21 knockouts, while Joshua comes in with a 24-1 record including 22 knockouts. Both men represent the United Kingdom, a nation full of crazed boxing fanatics.
The magnitude of this heavyweight showdown cannot be understated. But what actually happens when the two men finally climb into the ring, touch gloves, and come out punching?
As it is in every boxing match, styles make fights. Fury and Joshua have very distinct fighting styles, and should provide fans with an entertaining scrap. Let’s examine the different scenarios that could unfold in the ring.
Today, Evolve Daily shares what happens when Anthony Joshua fights Tyson Fury.
1) The Gypsy King’s enigmatic style is a problem for Joshua
Odds for the fight have Fury initially installed as a -190 favorite (bet $190 to win $100), which implies that he has a 65.5% probability of beating Joshua, while Joshua comes in as a +165 underdog (bet $100 to win $165).
Fury’s technical knockout victory over Deontay Wilder last year has a lot to do with that. With unorthodox punching and unpredictable movement, the Gypsy King’s unique and enigmatic style continues to be problematic for his opponents.
Joshua’s style is more deliberate. The former Olympian throws his combinations by the book, albeit with devastating power behind them. His imposing physicality is next to impossible to shake. It will take great footwork to evade his onslaught, which Fury definitely has.
Heavyweight boxing legend “Iron” Mike Tyson seems to think that Joshua’s style plays right into Fury’s strengths.
“It’s very interesting, Joshua is a masterful puncher. But you can see his punches coming, he telegraphs his punches. And that’s just a recipe for disaster if you’re fighting Tyson Fury and you’re telegraphing your punches – to a guy who’s 6-feet 7-inches, come on,” Tyson said in a recent interview with other fighters on talkSPORT.
Going by that theory, Fury could indeed dance around Joshua’s forward-facing stance and attack “AJ” from every angle, which would set up an exciting finish. If Fury can stifle Wilder enough to stop him, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t do the same to Joshua.
Prediction: Fury wins by TKO.
2) Anthony Joshua’s power and heart overwhelm Fury
Anthony Joshua is one of the UK’s biggest sporting superstars.
After getting stopped by Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, Joshua definitely showed he was vulnerable to the right game plan and style matchup. The aura of invincibility was gone, and Ruiz laid out the blueprint to beating the heavyweight sensation.
Joshua, however, has also proven he could rise up from a debilitating loss — and fight back with tenacity and heart. It’s that same heart that could carry him to victory against Fury.
By far, Joshua’s best chance to derail Fury and give The Gypsy King the first loss of his career will have to be by knockout. Joshua will need to utilize every bit of his 6-foot 6-inch, 240-lb. frame to hurt Fury and take him out of the ring early. Fury is actually the larger man, but the smaller, stockier fighters usually have more power.
Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Wladimir “Dr. Steelhammer” Klitschko, who lost to Joshua by knockout in 2017, thinks Joshua is simply the better fighter overall, and would defeat Fury handily.
“Joshua is a superior athlete, great fighter, Olympic champion. Most importantly, he’s a great guy, who carries the torch of this image of a heavyweight champion perfectly. I’m proud to call him a friend, even though we were [rivals]. And I think and I wish that eventually, Joshua is going to unify all of the belts. That’s the eventual plan,” said Klitschko.
Joshua has 22 knockouts to his name, out of 24 total victories. If he’s going to win this, it will be inside the distance.
Prediction: Joshua wins by knockout.
3) Split right down the middle
Tyson Fury training hard in the gym.
The fact of the matter is, Fury and Joshua are the two best heavyweights in the world right now, and they’re very evenly matched, which makes this fight incredibly intriguing. With Fury involved, the drama and buildup will be out of this world.
It’s hard to pick a clear winner based on just how they’ve performed in the past. But taking a look at the scenarios and general opinion, it seems Fury winning a long drawn and grueling fight is just as likely as Joshua finishing early with his concussive power.
Two-division world champion and Welsh boxing legend “Super” Joe Calzaghe, the longest-reigning super-middleweight world champion in boxing history, believes Fury may have just enough to edge out Joshua, based on the former’s most recent performance against Wilder.
“Tyson Fury has to be the favorite. Judging on ‘you’re only as good as your last fight’, Tyson Fury would be the favorite right now. I think he is the best fighter in the world based on his last fight. Don’t get me wrong, AJ is a top fighter as well and it’s a fight I really want to see down the line. It will be fantastic for British fans and fans around the world to see Fury and AJ,” said Calzaghe.
On the other hand, middleweight legend Bernard Hopkins believes Joshua has overwhelming advantages heading into the fight.
“[Joshua] redeemed himself. Now that is in his memory – what not to do ever again – Joshua beats Fury by knockout late. It will be an interesting, exciting five or six rounds at the beginning. Then Joshua’s athleticism, boxing IQ and experience would overwhelm Fury. Joshua would come out of a dust-storm based on his experience. At this point, he has to make a really serious statement based on [the Ruiz defeat]. Redemption,” said Hopkins.
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