Former unified heavyweight champion Briton Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) lost for the second time in a row to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) in August and seemed to be out of the title race for a while.
It was expected that Usyk would meet with the owner of the WBC belt Briton Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) – in a face-to-face fight, the first absolute world champion in the era of four belts would be determined. But the Ukrainian is injured and will not enter the ring until the end of the year. For this reason, Fury challenged Joshua, and he accepted it.
Experts
streaming DAZN Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora talk about whether Joshua should agree to the fight – is it a good idea.
Mora: It’s not just good. This is a great idea. Moreover, Fury is known for his skills as a promoter – he will spin this event great. He is his own promoter. He is active in social networks, shares his plans and thoughts. And he is a man of his word. And I’m glad he’s giving Joshua a chance.
I think that this is a world-class event, not just a British one. After all, the fans are still interested in him. And, to be honest, this fight is still more popular than the fight between Fury and Usyk. Even despite the fact that the champions are both undefeated, and all the belts are at stake. Fighting Joshua is a dream for every heavyweight in the world.
Mannix: And I think it’s a bad idea. And there are two reasons for this.
First, Joshua is clearly not at his best right now. First of all, psychological after two consecutive defeats to Usyk. He also needs to work with his new coaching staff. Regardless of whether Robert Garcia stays there or not. I think he should have had an interim fight in December against someone like David Allen. And in the first half of 2023, go up against someone like Dillian Whyte.
Second, you say a lot of money is at stake. But if Joshua restarts his career, wins a couple of victories, and during this time Fury becomes an absolute, then their face-to-face fight will become even more expensive. Just a lot of money, no matter where you fight – in Britain, in the Middle East or somewhere else.
If Fury also now holds an intermediate fight… For example, with the same Derek Chisora… It’s a trifling matter for him. I believe that in 6-8 months Fury vs Joshua will cost many times more.
Mora: You are crazy? Did the Andy Ruiz situation teach you anything? Any fighter, even Tyson Fury, can slip and fall on a banana peel. At least no one canceled the injury. I’m not talking about the fact that he may well fly Usyk. Not! You can’t wait at times like this! Can’t marinate longer. You have to strike while the iron is hot.
Fury is the biggest and most popular champion in the world. But Joshua is still popular. This is a great PPV fight with a potentially huge amount of streams sold. I am for the fight to take place now. I believe that if it does not take place now, it will never take place. But this is one of those fights that we have always dreamed of.
Mannix: That’s where your mistake is! You think it’s now or never. Nothing like this. It will take place anyway. Even if Fury is retired, he will still return to boxing for the sake of this fight. He has left and returned so many times. He doesn’t even rule out a fourth fight with Deontay Wilder.
You say even Fury can slip on a banana peel. This is absurd. Fury will be a clear favorite even in a fight with Usyk. Yes, theoretically he can lose to him. But he has such a huge physical superiority…
Just imagine how much the Fury vs Joshua fight will increase in price if Tyson becomes an absolute, and Anthony wins several fights in a row and gets used to the new coach. And I’m not talking about waiting a few years. Maximum 10 months.
Mora: You seem to live in a fairy-tale world of pink ponies. This is boxing. This is a tough business. Here, all hands can change in a second due to one blow. And we all know that Joshua keeps his plop so-so. You yourself say that Anthony has mental problems. He changes coaches like gloves. He changes halls like it plays a role. You don’t believe in him in some big duel.
It is for this reason that you need to milk the maximum out of it already and now. Milk it until it’s worth something. Moreover, despite the defeat, he fought well in the rematch. It would be the greatest fight in boxing. The fight between Errol Spence and Terence Crawford could have been bigger. But those will never fight, and these have a chance. That’s why I say: “Yes, do this fight!”
Mannix: I wonder why you didn’t say the exact same thing when I said that the fight between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia should take place now?
Mora: It’s different… Ryan is still a green kid. And here we are talking about already held adult guys who have long passed over 30. Who have already had a lot of top fights. It’s a completely different story…
Have you read Tyson Fury’s exclusive interview with The Ring magazine? We have the full version. And we once discussed Joshua after Usyk: when and with whom is the next fight? All options, and also talked about top fighters who need a big win for a comeback.
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