THE HEAVYWEIGHT division finally looks set to be unified after Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury agreed a two-fight deal.
The potential all-British showdown is one fans have longed to see for years.
Tyson Fury confirms Anthony Joshua fight deal is agreed and vows to ‘annihilate’ him after he ‘smashes Wilder’s face in’
Joshua, 30, is first set to fight Kubrat Pulev, with Fury taking on Deontay Wilder in the third fight of their trilogy.
And if both come through those tests successfully then they will go one-on-one to determine the undisputed heavyweight king of the world as part of a two-fight package in 2021.
The pair each have a massive fan base after their stunning careers – but how do they shape up against one another?
Sun Sport takes a look at the stats of both men below:
AGE
AJ has the narrow advantage when it comes to age.
He is a year younger than the 31-year-old Gypsy King.
Anthony Joshua is ready to put all of his gold on the line against Tyson FuryCredit: PA:Press Association
Tyson Fury is hoping to add AJ’s belts to his WBC TitleCredit: PA:Press Association
EXPERIENCE
Despite several years away from the ring due to mental health issues, Fury has the most experience of being in between the ropes.
The WBC champion has fought 31 times, winning 30 and drawing once, compared to Joshua’s 24 battles.
AJ lost his unbeaten record in a huge shock last summer against Andy Ruiz Jr, but bounced back to beat the Mexican in December to reclaim his WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
However, each fighter both have an impressive 21 knockouts on their CV.
PHYSICAL
Fury is also much bigger than AJ – who will not have faced much larger challenges in his career.
The Gypsy King stands at a huge 6ft 9in, a full three inches taller and Joshua.
And after tipping the scales at 19st 7lb for his victory over Wilder back in February, he weighs nearly 2.5st more than his fellow title holder.
EXPERTS SAY
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren: “Has AJ got a better jab than Fury? No. Is AJ a bigger puncher? I don’t think so.
“Has he got a better chin? I don’t think so. Has he got the hand speed or footwork of Fury? I don’t think so.
“Tyson is so good in every department. When you saw him get off the floor from that punch by [Deontay] Wilder it tells you what he’s all about.”
Amir Khan: “My opinion, and I’ve always said that Tyson Fury is the best heavyweight in the division. With the skill set he has got, he beats anyone with power.
“What he did to Deontay Wilder, no-one would expect that. If that same Fury goes into a fight with Anthony Joshua, it’s always going to be Fury that wins that.
Tony Bellew: “I just think AJ’s style will be all wrong for Fury. “I believe that because Wilder has the bigger punch than AJ, but Wilder is not technically good enough to put Fury in a position to nail him and that’s why he couldn’t land on the night.
“Joshua is technically good enough, you’re talking about an Olympic gold medallist, a guy who is technically and fundamentally good.
“He does have speed, he’s a brilliant athlete, he functions the right way.
“I just feel that he would get to Fury. Don’t get me wrong, it would have to be within six rounds because anyone who goes past six rounds with someone like Fury, you’ve lost.
“The guy’s such an immense boxer, he can adapt in fights, he’s versatile and he’s just an amazing fighter.
“It’s a fight we all want to see and we have to see because if boxing’s going to remain one of the premier sports in the world, we need to see the best face the best.”
Tyson Fury confirms Anthony Joshua fight deal is agreed and vows to ‘annihilate’ him after he ‘smashes Wilder’s face in’
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
