Joshua will beat Fury – Klitschko

Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has backed Anthony Joshua to defeat Tyson Fury in a potential blockbuster bout between the British rivals.

Sharing his thoughts on the fight, the Ukrainian legend, who fought both men in the latter stages of his career, expressed confidence in Joshua’s ability to overcome Fury, citing his physical attributes and continued improvement in the sport.

“Hands down, Joshua,” Klitschko said when asked who would emerge victorious in a Fury-Joshua clash. “He is getting to be the complete fighter. Technically, size-wise, weight-wise, power-wise. And he is a good learner.”

Klitschko, who lost by a controversial decision to Fury in 2015 and by knockout to the British-Nigerian in 2016, expressed doubts about Fury’s long-term discipline.

“The other guy (Fury), like a fart in the wind, it is there and it is gone,” he said. “In the history of boxing, there are a lot of examples of this kind of guy. They can be successful for a time but are not disciplined enough to continue to be successful.”

Klitschko’s comments come amid growing speculation about a future unification bout between the two heavyweights, although both fighters face challenging hurdles before such a fight can materialise.

Joshua is set to face Daniel Dubois, the IBF titleholder, in a September bout that could reignite his career after recent setbacks, while Fury is gearing up for a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, aiming to reclaim the world titles held by the Ukrainian.

Should both emerge victorious, a potential unification clash in 2025 looms large.

Klitschko’s prediction remains intriguing, as the boxing landscape has shifted significantly since his remarks.

While Fury has solidified his status as a top heavyweight, particularly after his trilogy against Deontay Wilder, Joshua has experienced mixed fortune, including losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and twice to Usyk.

Nevertheless, Klitschko’s endorsement of Joshua adds a compelling layer to the ongoing narrative of what could be one of the biggest British boxing events in recent history, should both men clear their respective paths and finally face off in the ring.