Anthony Joshua, the British-Nigerian heavyweight, has tipped Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Tyson Fury once again when they face off in a rematch on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, who suffered two defeats to Usyk in 2021 and 2022, believes Fury lacks the tools to counter Usyk’s skill and discipline.
“I’ve said it since 2023 – Usyk will win,” Joshua told IFL TV. “Fury’s a good fighter, but there are levels. A cruiserweight almost knocked him out. You’ve got to learn from these situations. His comments about middleweights show why you should never downplay a fighter.”
Fury endured his first career loss to Usyk in May after a gruelling bout, narrowly surviving a brutal ninth round. He activated his rematch clause immediately, vowing to win decisively this time.
However, Joshua remains sceptical about Fury’s chances and urged him to respect Usyk’s abilities. “Honestly, I don’t think he can do it,” Joshua said. “It’s not that I don’t rate Fury, I just think Usyk is better. Maybe if Fury gives him the respect he deserves, he’ll perform better.”
The rematch has generated global anticipation, with Usyk seeking to solidify his dominance and Fury looking for redemption.
For Joshua, the outcome could influence his career trajectory. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, is keen to arrange the long-awaited Joshua vs. Fury fight, regardless of the rematch result. However, a second Fury defeat could simplify negotiations.
As Joshua focuses on his own comeback, having recently lost to Daniel Dubois, he remains closely invested in the upcoming Riyadh clash.
