Aurelia Butler

ANTHONY JOSHUA has finally given his prediction for the biggest heavyweight fight in a quarter of a decade.Tyson Fury will bid to become the undisputed ruler of the heavyweight division in Saudi Arabia next month in a long-overdue showdown with former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will fight for all the heavyweight marbles next monthCredit: EPA
Former cruiserweight king Usyk’s chances of winning the fight have been written off by many
But Usyk’s former two-time foe Anthony Joshua has tipped him to beat The Gypsy KingCredit: GETTY
Fans and fighters alike are divided on who will win the historic showdown, although many have written off Usyk’s chances due to Fury’s significant height and reach advantages.
But AJ reckons his two-time foe has what it takes to spring a huge and historic upset in the Riyadh rumble.
When asked to predict the winner of the fight, he told Boxing Social: “I don’t know. “I’ve fought Usyk.
“I think he’s a phenomenal fighter and I think he has a great team around him.
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“You’re only as good as your team and he has a great team around him.
“After being in the ring with him and studying him, still studying him now, I think he’s the one to edge it.”
What Usyk lacks in size and power he makes up for with footwork and creativity, assets AJ believes could guide him to victory over the Gypsy King.
When pressed further on his prediction, Joshua added: “Probably because of his experiences, his ring generalship, and ring craft. I think he’s top-tier.”
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TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
Joshua’s prediction of a Usyk win comes as no surprise as he recently revealed he wouldn’t back Fury due to the lack of “respect” he’s shown him down the years.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champ said: “I don’t know [who wins] but I’m team Usyk anyway.
“[There’s] a respect, but Fury’s said a lot of bad things about me. I’m never going to ride with someone that disrespects me.
“That would make me a lunatic and I’m pretty level-headed.
“So I’m going to go with the person who shows me respect.”
Joshua plans to be ringside for the Saudi showdown, which will be followed up with his own desert dust-up with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in March. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA had some words for old rival Andy Ruiz Jr just moments after beating Otto Wallin. Ruiz was ringside in Saudi Arabia to watch the fight, four years on from losing his rematch to AJ in the Middle East.
Anthony Joshua speaking to Andy Ruiz Jr after his fight with Otto Wallin
And he saw Joshua, 34, dispatch of Wallin, 32, in five dominant rounds.
In behind-the-scenes Matchroom Boxing footage, it captures the moment AJ spots Ruiz by ringside.
He walks over and says: “So you know, I’m calm now. I’m better now.”
Ruiz in June 2019 famously stunned Joshua to his first ever defeat by dropping him four times before a round seven stoppage.
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But AJ enacted revenge six months later in Diriyah over 12 rounds.
Ruiz, 34, has chased the lucrative trilogy decider ever since but his chances were brutally put down by Derek Chisora.
He told iFL TV: “I just wanted to see if AJ wanted to run it back and get the trilogy, but maybe not.”
And Chisora, 40, bluntly replied: “I will tell you right now. You are not on Joshua’s radar. He’s fighting [Filip] Hrgovic right now for the IBF.
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“He wants to be a three-time world champion. He’s not going to fight you. You’re not on his radar.
“I’ll be honest with you, do you understand?”
Joshua’s next fight has since been announced against Francis Ngannou, 37, the ex-UFC champion who controversially lost to Tyson Fury in October.
But Ruiz has not boxed since beating Luis Ortiz, 44, in September 2022 and looks no closer to a return.
Andy Ruiz Jr at Joshua’s last fightCredit: Getty More

BOXING had perhaps its best 12 months in 2023 with fans finally treated to the fights they want to see – and this year could be even better. Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr finally settled who was the best welterweight on the planet last July.
Terence Crawford beat Errol Spence Jr in 2023Credit: EPA
Meanwhile, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia put on a pay-per-view blockbuster in April after years of feuding.
But despite the super-fights that got over the line, still plenty fell by the wayside and here SunSport rounds up the best which could be yet to come.
Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua
On February 17, Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will fight for the undisputed crown and the right to call themselves the No1 heavyweight in the world.
But, fans are still desperate to finally see Fury and Joshua do battle for the pride of Britain.
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And if Fury defeats Usyk to claim all four belts, it could pave the way for a humongous fight with AJ, the biggest this country has ever seen.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could finally fight in 2024
Canelo Alvarez vs David Benavidez
With Canelo settled in as the undisputed super-middleweight king, he is running out of contenders to face.
But the one man fans have most been demanding he fight is Benavidez, dubbed the “Mexican Monster” by Mike Tyson.
The two-time champ has 24 KOs in his 28 undefeated fights and stands as the biggest test to Canelo at 168lb.
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Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez is a fight fans have been calling for
Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev
This is another undisputed title decider between two unbeaten champions to determine the best in the division.
Bivol – who beat Canelo in 2021 – is the WBA light-heavyweight champion and has actually signed his side of the deal to fight Beterbiev.
But unified champ Beterbiev – boxing’s only title holder with a 100 per cent KO ratio – must first beat Callum Smith on January 13.
Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev are lined up for a light-heavyweight blockbuster
Gervonta Davis vs Devin Haney
At just 25, Haney has established himself as a two-division champ with undisputed titles won at lightweight.
Whereas Davis, 28, is one of boxing’s biggest PPV attractions with fan-friendly KO power.
Davis’ heavy-hands against Haney’s slick skills make this one of boxing’s best fights but their differing weights and promotional teams makes it a hard one to get over the line.
Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney have long rivalled
Ryan Garcia vs Rolando Romero
Garcia, who has 10MILLION Instagram followers, is one of boxing’s biggest stars without a world title to his name.
And he walked away from talks with old amateur rival Haney to try and set up a PPV grudge bout with WBA super-lightweight champ Romero.
The pair had a famously heated sparring session which had led to years of trash-talk – making for a blockbuster bout for 2024.
Ryan Garcia has called to fight Rolando Romero
Joshua Buatsi vs Anthony Yarde
Heading closer to home and outside of the heavyweight division, this is the biggest and best bout on offer.
For years fans have debated who is the better between the London duo and now is the time to find out.
But, if Buatsi, 30, wins his next fight against Dan Azeez, he is in line for a WBA light heavyweight title shot, which could stand in the way of Yarde, 32.
Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi could finally fight in 2024
KSI vs Jake Paul
Whether boxing purists like it or not, YouTubers-turned boxers Jake Paul, 26, and KSI, 30, bring both money and attention to the sport.
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And no fight in the influencer boxing world is bigger than this.
It would end years of bitter feuding and at last crown who is the true king of the crossover boxing scene.
KSI and Jake Paul clashing in the ring in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

DEONTAY Wilder is set to appear on another Anthony Joshua undercard in a blockbuster fight, according to his co-manager.The Bronze Bomber, 38, featured in the Day of Reckoning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia before AJ defeated Otto Wallin on December 23.
Deontay Wilder is set to appear on the undercard of the next AJ fightCredit: Getty
Anthony Joshua featured in the Day of ReckoningCredit: AFP
Now it’s been suggested he could play the former British champion’s understudy once again.
And his opponent could even be the tough Chinese customer, Zhilei Zhang, claim talkSPORT.
His co-manager Terry Lane stated:”Zhilei Zhang does indeed want to fight Deontay Wilder on the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou undercard on March 8th.”
TalkSport boxing editor Michael Benson wrote on X: “It’s been reported that Zhang and Wilder may both be on the card, potentially even fighting one another.
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“Wilder is such a great fighter. I open my arms to welcome that fight, that would be a great bang for the sport of boxing… Don’t overthink man, let’s do it.”
Intriguingly, both fighters have been touted as long-term opponents for Joshua.
Zhang currently holds the WBO interim title after defeating Joe Joyce.
He fought AJ in the Olympics in 2012, where he lost.
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On his Instagram account Zhang wrote: “I lost to a better man 11 years ago in the Olympics. I’m happy we have both come a long way, gone through ups and downs in life.
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“Now it’s time to do this for the sport of boxing and give it to the fans around the world. Let’s get it on!”
Wilder had reportedly agreed to fight Joshua in a stunning £100million double fight deal before his bout against Kiwi Parker.
However, a shock defeat left that arrangement in tatters. More

TYSON FURY has been warned that Oleksandr Usyk could end his dream of undisputed glory if he underestimates him.The Wythenshawe warrior will bid to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the quarter of a century when he locks horns with the slick southpaw next month.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will collide in an undisputed heavyweight title fight next monthCredit: EPA
Usyk’s chances of beating Fury have been written off due to his sizeCredit: GETTY
Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang reckons Usyk could do a number on FuryCredit: GETTY
Usyk’s chances of unifying the division have been written off by many on account of the size difference between himself and Brit man-mountain Fury.
But surging contender Zhilei Zhang reckons the undefeated Ukrainian could cause a monumental upset in the Riyadh rumble if Fury underestimates him as he did former UFC champ Francis Ngannou.
He told Boxing Scene: “I don’t know [who will win Fury-Usyk].
“Anything can happen and my experience in the business tells me that until you hear the opening bell, anything is possible.
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“If someone feels like they are not themselves then they could call the fight off. I’m unsure if it happens.
“The Francis Ngannou fight should be a wake up call for Tyson Fury.
“You have to train hard and focus on the gym, but you never know, everyone is different.
“But I can tell you if he prepares the same way he did against Francis Ngannou then he is going to be in big trouble and big danger.”
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TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
Zhang reckons former cruiserweight king Usyk’s unique skillset could offset his significant height and reach disadvantages.
The Chinese clubber said: “Right now, I am leaning towards Usyk to winning this fight as I believe skills pay the bills and dedication is the key to the sport of boxing.”
WBC heavyweight king Fury knows Usyk will present him with one of the toughest tasks of his career but is confident of sealing undisputed glory with a stoppage victory.
He said: “It’s going to one of the fights for the ages.
“I believe we are both destined to be here and to be in this big fight in Saudi Arabia, and there’s only one winner, and I am destined to become the undisputed champion.
“More than that, I am destined to cement my legacy as the No. 1 fighter in this era.
“To do that I have to beat this little man and that’s it, simple as.
“Easier said than done I understand, he’s a tricky man, good boxer, slick.
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“But I have seen many people like him before and when they fight the big men they struggle.
“He’s going to struggle on February 17 and he’s going to lose, I will break him for sure.”
Tyson Fury is confident he’ll stop Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTY More