By Dan Marsh
Anthony Joshua believes Oleksandr Usyk will prevail in the seismic undisputed heavyweight title fight between the Ukrainian and Tyson Fury.
Usyk, the reigning WBA, WBO and IBF world champion, will put his straps up against Fury's WBC title to crown an undisputed kingpin of the heavyweight division next month in Saudi Arabia.
The fight will finally take place on May 18 after a serious cut sustained by Fury prevented the two from donning their gloves on the original date earlier this year. And while plenty believe the bout is too close to call, Joshua has tipped Usyk to conquer his domestic rival.
After being asked for a prediction, Joshua 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 came up short against Usyk on two separate occasions, the first of which saw him lose his belts. And although he produced an improved showing in a rematch, the Brit was soundly beaten on points by the former undisputed cruiserweight champion.
Joshua and Fury have both teased a mega domestic showdown for years but nothing has materialised to date. Joshua, however, is itching for a return to the ring after destroying former UFC champion Francis Ngannou just before Christmas and has refused to rule out the possibility of locking horns with Fury in the future.
He revealed earlier this week that his next bout is likely to take place at Wembley Stadium in September. And while his opponent has not yet been determined, he could finally face off with Deontay Wilder with a view to meeting Fury further down the line.
Joshua said: “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. He's trying to deliver what the fans want, I know they want that big fight with Tyson Fury and he's working on it.
“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.”
