Tyson Fury is back, and he has his eyes set on a potential clash with current WBA, IBF, IBO, and WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Fury hasn't competed inside the ring since winning those same titles back in November of 2015 when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko. After nearly a year of inactivity, Fury vacated those titles and took some time off.
In his absence, Anthony Joshua took over the heavyweight division, racking up 20-straight knockout victories en-route to capturing the WBA, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles.
Joshua recently defeated Joseph Parker via unanimous decision, the first time in his professional boxing career that he has gone the distance, to capture the WBO heavyweight title from the New Zealander.
Today it was announced that Fury would return to the ring, against an opponent yet to be determined, on June 9th from the Manchester Arena.
After having his health and fitness questioned for the past several years, Fury shut that down in his recent comments and said he's the fittest he has ever been (quotes via Boxing Scene):
“I’m the fittest I’ve ever been. Timing, reflexes, everything is better than it’s ever been. I kid you not,” he added.
“Everything is still there. I’m 29 years old, coming into the prime of my life, I’m stronger and faster, holding more muscle mass than ever. I’m more confident looking at the competition.”
In terms of a potential fight against Joshua, Fury said that the fight needs to happen and believes that he could easily out-box the champion before knocking him out:
“It has to happen. There’s not really been many fights in the heavyweight division in history that haven’t happened when you’re talking about championship level,” Joshua told Sky Sports television.
“In terms of history, I think that this fight has to happen because it wouldn’t be great for this era of boxing if it doesn’t happen.
“It’s going to be an easy fight, no contest,” he said of a potential match-up with the champion. “He is looking for one punch all night. Anybody who can move a little bit, and throw feints, he struggles with. He can’t land.
“I’d outbox him for a few rounds then I’d knock him out.”
What are your thoughts on Fury's comments regarding a potential fight against Anthony Joshua? Do you think that Fury will walk through him as easily as he believes he can? Or will Joshua be the biggest threat to Fury's legacy? Let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below!
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