Tony Bellew, the former cruiserweight champion, has thrown his support behind Anthony Joshua in a potential fight with Tyson Fury.
Bellew believes that Joshua has the raw power to knock out Fury if the two British heavyweights were ever to face off in the ring.
Longstanding Rivalry and Unmet Expectations
The rivalry between Joshua and Fury has been brewing for years.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting a showdown, with both fighters having become giants in the boxing world.
Despite all the hype and several attempts to make the fight happen, it has never come to fruition.
Even now, after Tyson Fury’s recent retirement announcement, Bellew remains optimistic about the possibility of the bout.
Bellew’s Confidence in Joshua’s Power
Bellew, speaking with Fightlens, expressed his belief that Joshua can land a knockout punch.
He emphasized that while Joshua might not be the better overall fighter, power and style could lead to an upset. “I’ve always said it and I’ll stick by it,” Bellew said.
“I think Anthony Joshua will be forced to let his hands go, and he’ll knock out Tyson Fury.”
While Bellew doesn’t consider Joshua to be the better fighter on paper, he explained that sometimes, the better fighter doesn’t always win.
He pointed to his own career, where he defeated fighters like David Haye, who was technically superior, but the fight went his way due to styles and determination.
The Road to a Fight That Never Happened
The idea of a Joshua-Fury fight has always been on the table but never materialized.
In 2021, it seemed like the deal was almost done, with a two-bout agreement reportedly set in Saudi Arabia.
However, the plans were scuttled when Fury had to honor a contractual obligation to fight Deontay Wilder for the third time.
Fury went on to defeat Wilder, and Joshua lost his titles to Oleksandr Usyk, which only complicated matters further.
Could the Fight Still Happen?
Recently, there had been renewed hope of a 2025 showdown between the two, but Fury’s announcement of his retirement after a second loss to Usyk raised doubts.
Fury has retired before, including after his 2015 victory over Wladimir Klitschko and again in 2017 and 2022, leading many to believe he might return, especially if the right financial or competitive incentives are offered.
Joshua, on the other hand, has continued to pursue his career.
After his losses to Usyk, he bounced back with wins over Jermaine Franklin, Otto Wallin, and Francis before suffering a loss to Daniel Dubois.
Despite his recent setbacks, Joshua has remained open to a potential fight with Fury.
Fury’s Style vs Joshua’s Power
Bellew’s confidence in Joshua stems from their contrasting fighting styles.
Fury is known for his technical prowess and unmatched size, having dominated some of the best in the heavyweight division.
Joshua, however, has the kind of power that can turn a fight in an instant.
Bellew believes that Joshua’s strength and determination could present problems for Fury if the fight ever happens.
“Fury might be the better fighter on paper, but Joshua has the tools to force an outcome,” Bellew said.
“Styles make fights, and AJ has the power and determination to cause an upset.”
In Bellew’s eyes, Joshua has everything it takes to secure a win against Fury, provided the circumstances align.
Fans will have to wait and see whether this long-anticipated fight finally comes to life.
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