‘Only speaking on what I know’ – Anthony Joshua gives verdict on Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk ahead of May 18 Saudi bout
ANTHONY JOSHUA has waded in on Tyson Fury’s undisputed super-fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury and Usyk meet in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua has twice lost to Oleksandr UsykGetty
EPATyson Fury and Usyk facing off[/caption]
It is an honour AJ dedicated his whole career to but his shot at undisputed was ripped away by double defeat to Usyk.
So Joshua, 34, is backing his old rival to walk away with all the titles and bragging rights come judgement day.
He told talkSPORT: “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 like to face him. Only speaking on what I know, I have to say Usyk will be victorious.”
Joshua has won four on the spin since losing his rematch to Usyk, 37, in August 2022.
He most recently knocked out ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 37, in two rounds in March.
And Joshua is pencilled in to return in September at Wembley – but his opponent remains up in the air.
Filip Hrgovic, 31, and Daniel Dubois, 26, fight on the 5v5 Eddie Hearn vs Frank Warren bill on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
And it could be for the IBF title should the winner between Fury, 35, and Usyk be stripped of it after their unification.
So Joshua is eyeing up the chance to fight for the belt in his bid to become a three-time champ.
But Deontay Wilder, 38, also returns against Zhilei Zhang,40, in Saudi and those two also remain possible opponents for AJ.
Joshua revealed: “On June 1 in Saudi Arabia they’ve got the 5 vs 5 card.
“You’ve got Filip Hrgovic vs Daniel Dubois, and you’ve got Zhilei Zhang vs Deontay Wilder.
“So providing one of those looks good – the one who looks the best, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh said to me, ‘I want you to fight [him].’
“What he says is, ‘In the future I want people to look back at your record and say that you took on the best.’
“I said, ‘Now you’re speaking my language.’
“So out of that pool, I believe that’s who I’m gonna be fighting, one of those.
“We’re on the same page and he’s on the same page as the fans as well.
“But Fury’s got his obligations with Oleksandr Usyk so I’ve gotta make sure I stay focused and disciplined.
“Keep steamrolling through opponents so I can get closer and closer to having the opportunity of me vs Tyson Fury.”
GettyJoshua at the 2024 Monaco E-Prix[/caption]
