The long awaited all-British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua looks likely to happen this year, and Tony Bellew has provided his prediction for what would still be one of the biggest boxing events in British history.
Fury is poised to make his comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov in two weeks’ time, ending a 17-month spell of inactivity since twice losing out to Oleksandr Usyk and retiring from the sport for a fifth occasion.
Meanwhile, Joshua returned to action when he halted Jake Paul back in December, but he has not fought a recognised heavyweight contender since he was brutally knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
The date for Joshua’s next fight is unknown, after personal tragedy delayed his plans to fight again in February, but he has since partnered up with Team Usyk and quashed rumours that he could retire from the sport.
As a result, it is believed that Fury-Joshua is being targeted for the end of the year, if not early 2027, and speaking to Sky Sports, Bellew predicted that Joshua’s superior power may well see him come out on top against ‘The Gypsy King’ when they collide.
“I’ve always said it’s going to be AJ, I think styles make fights. But you have to go on the most recent performances and Fury’s only been defeated by the magnificent Oleksandr Usyk. This could come down to who lands first.
“You’ll have to edge towards Anthony Joshua because he’s the one with the destructive power of the two. It’s a genuine 50/50. You don’t know what you’re going to get. In all honesty, [it is about] who has got more left.”
Fury-Makhmudov takes place on Saturday, April 11, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Conor Benn set to make his Zuffa Boxing debut in the co-main event of the bill.