Anthony Joshua has vowed to halt Tyson Fury inside six rounds should the pair clash in an undisputed Heavyweight world title showdown.
Unified IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO world champion, Joshua has an agreement in place with WBC titlist Fury for two fights in 2021, however both have obligations to fulfill in Deontay Wilder and Kubrat Pulev respectively.
The pair, who bumped into each other in Marbella last month, are edging nearer to a 2021 meeting after Dillian Whyte’s hopes of finally landing a mandatory challenge at Fury were dashed, following a fifth round stoppage defeat to Alexander Povetkin on Saturday, with the WBC subsequently confirming that the Brit has no further obligations beyond Wilder.
And Joshua, 30, who claimed his belts back with a unanimous decision victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in Saudi Arabia in December, believes he would inflict a first loss on his rival, within the halfway mark.
“First six, I know I’m going to take him out,” Joshua said on A League of Their Own.
“I’ve had a shorter career, so I’m fresher. Been in the deep end longer, so I’m used to the pressure.
“I believe I’m going to handle the pressure and I’m going to take him out.
“I believe I’m better than Wilder, faster, whatever you want to call it.
“I reckon I’m going to be doing this for another 10 years.”
Fury, 32, responded in an Instagram live Q & A insisting he would knockout his rival inside a round, whilst also posting a message on Twitter, suggesting he would have no trouble overcoming his rival.
“I would batter Joshua inside the first round,” Fury replied.
Fury is set to meet Wilder for a third time later this year, after the Alabama man exercised his right to a trilogy following his seventh round stoppage defeat in February in Las Vegas.
Happy Wednesday 😏 pic.twitter.com/yghaJTe3zP
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) August 26, 2020
Joshua is on course to face IBF mandatory challenger Pulev in a rescheduled clash after their June 20 clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was postponed, whilst his WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk is awaiting a new date for his bout with Dereck Chisora.
