Anthony Joshua gives honest verdict on outcome of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk - 'I have to say'

Anthony Joshua believes Oleksandr Usyk will get the better of Tyson Fury when the pair battle it out next month.

Joshua has hailed Usyk as a 'phenomenal fighter' having had first-hand experience of the Ukrainian's qualities in the ring.

Anticipation is building ahead of the first undisputed heavyweight fight this century, set to take place in Riyadh on May 18.

Fury and Usyk will put their belts and unbeaten professional records on the line in Saudi Arabia, three months after the bout was postponed.

Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua

Joshua hopes to fight the winner after getting his career back on track with four wins since April 2023.

The Brit lost back-to-back fights against Usyk in 2021 and 2022, losing his heavyweight titles in the process.

And having fought Usyk, he is backing him to get the job done against the Gypsy King.

Joshua told talkSPORT: "Phenomenal fighter, does everything to a tee. He's going to do a really good job.

"I've never fought Fury so I can't speak on what it's like to face him. I'll have to say Oleksandr Usyk will be victorious."

Joshua revealed that his next fight will take place at Wembley this September.

Deontay Wilder, Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois are among the contenders to face the former Olympic champion.

Joshua then wants to fight the winner of Fury-Usyk and will happily accept a third bout against the latter.

But he admits that isn't the fight that British boxing fans want to see.

Joshua added: "Ultimately, [Fury-Joshua] is what the fans want. If the fans want to see it, they'll get it. But for me personally, of course I'd love to compete with Oleksandr Usyk.

"Let's go, 100 per cent. But I don't think that's the No.1 pick on the fans' wishlist.

"They want that big fight with Tyson Fury. [Boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh] is working on it.

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Anthony Joshua

"Fury's got his obligations with Usyk, so I've got to make sure I stay focused and disciplined.

"I've got to keep steamrolling through opponents, so I can get closer and closer to fight for the fans, and for myself, against Tyson Fury.

"[My next fight is] some date between September 20-25. Whatever they tell me, you know I'm ready, 100 per cent.

"It's going to be in London, Wembley Stadium - this is what I'm being told. They usually back their word."

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

Meanwhile, Johnny Nelson claims he has had a dream that Fury-Usyk will end in controversy.

He told Sky Sports: "I had a dream and Tyson Fury was in this dream. I'm trying to understand what I saw. It was controversial and Tyson Fury was not happy.

"I don't know if that meant Tyson Fury won controversially or Tyson lost controversially, but I know there is a controversial decision with this fight.

"Mark that down! Tyson was p****d off, I don't know if he lost or won controversially. But there is going to be controversy!"