This week, Anthony Joshua talked to the US press over video conference recently and finally gave his predictions for the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder trilogy fight, somewhat surprisingly picking the American as the victor.
Despite being coy at first, AJ finally responded by giving his thoughts on a potential Wilder win.
He said: “If I had to, I don’t know. I’m not too bothered. Look, because you’ve asked the question, let’s go with Wilder because he seems obsessed, like he really wants it. He seems really focused on the task ahead, so, you know, a focused man is a dangerous man, and he’s focused.”
Joshua went on to elaborate that he didn’t expect the fight to go the distance.
He added: “Wilder might get the decision. Actually, no. It has to be a knockout. One of them will knock the other out.”
The AJ camp was bitterly disappointed that the much-talked-up fight with Fury had to be put on the back burner this summer. And while Fury faces a difficult challenge in Wilder, Joshua has his own tricky title defence against the speedy south-paw Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk, the first man to hold all four major cruiserweight belts, is stepping up for his third fight at heavyweight level. During his previous fight against Derek Chisora, he showed that his superior footwork and stamina were enough to outdo a heavier, harder punching contender.
Joshua is under no illusion that his status as a favourite will carry him through and understands both he and Fury have tough challenges to overcome for the in-demand Fury-Joshua fight to become a reality.
“We both have important fights in our career, both 50-50 fights as well, which is really good for boxing at the end of the day. I’ve got a rematch clause if the worse happens. I’m not too sure of Fury’s situation, so I lose I’m fighting Usyk again.”
While Joshua and British boxing fans are longing for that Fury/Joshua showdown, AJ seems more than happy to face either opponent when the time comes.
“If I win, I’ll fight either one of them. If Fury wins, I’ll fight Fury. But If Wilder wins, I’ll fight Wilder. If Fury wins and doesn’t take the fight with me because of his hit list, then I’ll fight Wilder.”
Boxers' predictions and quotes about their opponents are as much mind games as they are genuine opinions.
It will be a tragedy if boxing fans don’t get to see Joshua and Fury going toe-to-toe while still in their prime.