Anthony Joshua has shared his prediction for the upcoming undisputed heavyweight title clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
Despite losing to Usyk in 2021, Joshua believes the Ukrainian will emerge victorious on February 17. Joshua expressed his desire for both fighters to leave the ring healthy and acknowledged the toughness of the sport.
Joshua’s March 8 Bout Against Ngannou
Scheduled to face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou on March 8 in Saudi Arabia, Anthony Joshua sees this bout as an opportunity to potentially challenge the winner of the Usyk vs. Fury clash.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite his previous defeats to Usyk, Joshua remains focused on his upcoming bout and the prospect of facing either Usyk or Fury in the future.
Losses to Usyk and Desire to Face Fury
Reflecting on his previous defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua admits that he lost his WBO, IBF, and WBA belts in 2021 before a rematch loss the following year. However, he has never faced WBC champion Tyson Fury.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Anthony Joshua believes Oleksandr Usyk will win, he expresses a preference for a future bout against Fury, considering it a better fight for both the fans and himself.
Perspective on Usyk vs. Fury Outcome
Remaining neutral about the outcome of the Usyk vs. Fury fight, Joshua emphasizes the importance of both fighters leaving the ring healthy.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe dismisses personal attachment to the results, stating that it does not significantly affect his life. Joshua wishes both fighters good luck and acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Joshua’s Approach to Ngannou Fight
Notably, this will be Joshua’s second consecutive bout against an opponent who had previously faced Fury.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn December, Joshua dominated and stopped Otto Wallin, who had pushed Fury to the limit in 2019. Reflecting on this, Joshua clarifies that he does not draw motivation from outperforming Fury but aims to deliver his best performance in the ring.
Joshua’s Response to Comparisons with Fury
When asked about comparisons between his performance against Wallin and Fury’s previous bout with the Swedish fighter, Joshua dismisses the idea. He highlights the differences in their styles, mentality, and physical attributes.
Joshua asserts that he will focus on his capabilities in the ring, aiming to surpass his standards rather than comparing himself to Fury.
Joshua’s Warning to Ngannou
While acknowledging the satisfaction of his victory over Wallin, Joshua issues a warning to Ngannou, who almost caused a major upset against Fury in his professional boxing debut. Joshua suggests that Ngannou should not assume a similar outcome against him based on his performance against Wallin, emphasizing the uniqueness of each fighter’s style and approach.
In summary, Anthony Joshua looks ahead to his bout with Ngannou, predicts Usyk’s victory over Fury, and expresses a preference for a future fight against Tyson Fury. Joshua remains focused on his performance and warns Ngannou against drawing too much confidence from previous comparisons with Fury.
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