Former light-heavyweight Bernard Hopkins has predicted an Anthony Joshua win in the SECOND fight with Tyson Fury, stating that the first will end in a draw.
After an agreement between the two corners for a two-fight deal for 2021 was reached, there is divided opinion over the result of the highly-anticipated heavyweight bout.
Adding to controversy, Hopkins has boldly predicted that over the two fights, AJ will be victorious.
Currently, Joshua holds IBF, WBA & WBO heavyweight titles, while Fury is the unbeaten WBC champion.
Before the two champions clash, however, AJ must fight a mandatory challenger that comes in the shape of 39-year-old Kubrat Pulev. Meanwhile, Fury will complete his trilogy battle with the Bronze Bomber Deontay Wilder, who he dethroned in February of this year.
Just like Fury’s first bout with Wilder, Hopkins predicts another draw for the Gypsy King’s career against AJ, before a win for Joshua in the second match.
American-born Hopkins has huge experience in the boxing business, with a total of 67 fights before retiring in 2016. B-Hop’s career spanned across 28 years, suggesting he must have a fair bit of knowledge of the sport. Now, 55-year-old Hopkins has hung up his gloves to become a promoter within the industry.
Speaking on iFL TV, as per The Sun, Hopkins said: “I’m going to go with this one. The first fight is going to be a draw, I’m telling you."
Hopkins followed on from his confident prediction by stating: "The second fight Joshua wins, but the first fight will be a draw because it’s going to be hard to score and that’s when the controversy comes in with who got the rounds."
B-Hop had his reasons and then explained his theory of what many would see as an upset.
"I figure [Joshua] makes the adjustments, figures him out and realise he’s got to go for the body instead of the head.
"And then he will fall. The head will hit the knees."
It is an uncommon prediction to say the least, as Fury has the support of most Brits following his inspiring return to boxing and his latest win over Wilder.
Throwing in a potential draw into the mix does suggest Hopkins’ prediction is bold and will cause controversy across the sport.