Anthony Joshua has dismissed Tyson Fury’s chances of beating Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch.
Fury faces Usyk for a second time on December 21 in Saudi Arabia, seven months after suffering a split decision defeat to the Ukrainian who became the undisputed heavyweight champion, a bout Joshua watched on from ringside.
‘AJ’, who faces Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title on September 21 at Wembley Stadium after Usyk relinquished the belt, feels ‘The Gypsy King’ was complacent and feels his arch-rival must alter his mentality for the rematch.
“I said Usyk will win,” Joshua told IFLTV.
“I said that from 2023.
“I do think Fury’s a good fighter, but there’s levels.
“A cruiserweight nearly knocked him out, nearly knocked out Fury.
“It’s what I say with Daniel [Dubois], you gotta learn from these situations, from Fury’s situation.
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“I don’t think he underestimated him, but what he was saying, ‘you’re a middleweight, you’re this, you’re that.’
“It just goes to show, you never downplay a fighter.
“You should give them the credit they deserve to make sure you don’t go in there thinking you’re gonna bully someone and next minute you know the tables could turn in a fight.
“So Usyk put up a good performance.
“Fury maybe should give him the credit he deserves next time and he might put on a better performance.”
Joshua and Fury are expected to meet in a long-awaited all-British showdown should both be victorious against Dubois and Usyk respectively.
Joshua, 34, has recorded four consecutive wins since back-to-back losses to Usyk and expects the Ukrainian to overcome his countryman again.
Asked if he wins the rematch, the Watford man replied: “Me personally, what I think.
“No. No way.
“I think Fury’s good. You saw some good moments, I just don’t think he can do it.
“It’s not that I don’t rate Fury, I think Fury’s good.
“He got himself to that position.
“I just don’t think he’s better than Usyk.”
