Klitschko third opponent to back Joshua against Fury

Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has become the third high-profile boxer to back Anthony Joshua to defeat Tyson Fury in their potential 2025 showdown, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Ukrainian legend, who lost his world titles to Fury in 2015 before being stopped by Joshua in his final fight two years later, believes AJ’s all-round abilities would prove too much for the Gypsy King.

“Hands down Joshua,” Klitschko told Sky Sports. “He is getting to be the complete fighter. Technically, size-wise, weight-wise, power-wise. And he is a good learner.

“The other guy (Fury), like a fart in the wind, is there and it is gone. In the history of boxing, there are a lot of examples of this kind of guy.”

Klitschko’s is similar to predictions from undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and former UFC star Francis Ngannou, who have both faced the British rivals.

The highly anticipated all-British clash is being targeted for Wembley Stadium next year, with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn describing it as “the biggest fight probably in the history of British boxing.”

Both fighters are looking to rebuild following recent setbacks, with Fury losing his unbeaten record after consecutive defeats to Usyk, while Joshua suffered a shock knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September.

Klitschko, who reigned as unified heavyweight champion for over a decade, expressed concerns about Fury’s commitment to the sport.

“I wish Tyson well, but I think there is a lack of discipline there, and discipline is more important than motivation,” the Ukrainian added.

“Drawing from my experience, I would say it is going to be very difficult for Tyson because there’s that lack of discipline.”

This was evident when Fury nearly suffered an embarrassing defeat to boxing novice Ngannou last year, struggling to a controversial decision victory after entering the ring at a career-heaviest weight.

The potential clash could generate over $300m in revenue, with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh expressing interest in staging the fight during Riyadh Season.

Joshua, who has one fight remaining on his lucrative Riyadh Season contract, won’t return to action until at least May 2024, according to Hearn, with multiple options available including potential clashes with the winner of the WBC interim title fight between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel.