Anthony Joshua has backed former foe Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Tyson Fury again when the pair meet later this month.
Joshua was ringside on May 18 in Riyadh when Usyk secured a split decision victory over Fury to win the undisputed heavyweight championship.
‘AJ’ who was twice beaten by the Ukrainian, anticipates that Usyk will get the better of ‘The Gypsy King’ for a second straight time when they clash on December 21, also in Riyadh.
“I think it’s going to be a tough fight early on and then I feel like Usyk will edge it again,” Joshua told Queensberry Promotions.
“He’s a class operator so I think Usyk’s one of the best out there.
“That’s why I think he’ll win.”
Usyk will defend his WBC, WBA and WBO belts against the Manchester man, having relinquished the IBF title shortly after their first meeting.
Daniel Dubois was subsequently upgraded from interim to full IBF champion and defended the title with a fifth round stoppage over Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September.
Joshua looked set for a rematch with his British rival, but injuries ruled him out, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn and Dubois will now face Joseph Parker on February 22.
Hearn says the former two-time heavyweight world champion will fight either Dubois or Fury next.
“It’s weird saying it after a knockout defeat but AJ is actually in a really good position,” the Matchroom Chairman told BBC Sport.
“We’re going to fight Dubois or Fury next. That’s it. No other interest or warm-up.
“It would be frustrating if we made the Dubois rematch and Fury won.
“Then we’re sitting there going ‘hang on a minute, we’re fighting Dubois but we could have fought Fury in May for the biggest fight in boxing.’
“Win or lose, we can fight Fury next summer. But if he wins, AJ fights him for the world title.”
