Anthony Joshua finally gives prediction for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk after refusing to back Brit over war of words
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.
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 : “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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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.