Anthony Joshua

FIGHTING TALK FROM FURY AS PODCAST APPEARANCE HERALDS HOPE OF JOSHUA FIGHT DEAL

“The real difference is he’s a businessman and I am a spartan.” Tyson Fury doesn’t mince his words or pull his punches.

Michelle Farsi/Matchroom

“The real difference is he’s a businessman and I am a spartan.” Tyson Fury doesn’t mince his words or pull his punches.

That is one of several soundbites and memorable quotes that have come out of the No Passion, No Point podcast, where the WBC Heavyweight titleholder sat down with Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn, who promotes fellow British boxer and unified champ Anthony Joshua.

This lively discussion was the latest chapter in a saga that fans of the sport hope will end with an undisputed World Heavyweight Champion. It’s the fight everyone wants to see.

Fury remained nonchalant and confident throughout his appearance on the podcast, declaring: “I’ll cut Anthony Joshua down like a hot knife through cheese. When he gets cracked right in the jaw, it is like a boiled egg with a split down the middle. It can’t be repaired.”

AJ couldn’t lace my boots,” Fury continued. “He doesn’t have the minerals to fight me. I cannot wait to get the big dosser in the ring and give him a good hiding to prove to the world what a fake he is.”

Walking the Walk

Trash talking is all well and good, but Fury has backed up what he said before all of his previous professional fights. He comes into the highly anticipated, but not yet official title unification bout with Joshua, which is set to be held in Saudi Arabia this summer, still unbeaten in the paid ranks.

Going by the nickname of Gypsy King, only Deontay Wilder has held Fury to a draw back in 2018. That contest highlighted how much of a spectacle it is watching him fight. Fury rising from the canvas after being knocked down by his American opponent and continuing the bout wouldn’t have looked out of place as a plotline from one of the Rocky movies.

The real-life tale is better than any film. Fury’s redemption arc is already complete, but who can resist the thought of him heading off into the unset at the undisputed champ? From the dizzying heights of conquering Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, through the lows of depression and losing championships, to his emotional return, and climbing back to the top of boxing, you could not make up a better story.

As much of Fury’s recent journey has brought out the entertainment side of the sport, he has also had an infinite capacity to surprise. Just ask Wilder, who got pummelled in their rematch of February 2020. This was not the cautious, tactically astute boxing Fury had become known for previously, but an aggressive onslaught of blows raining in on the man they call The Bronze Bomber, prompting his corner to throw in the towel inside seven rounds.

Fury Favorite For the Fight

Just as Fury did plenty to promote that box office attraction, including appearances in premier pro wrestling company WWE where he had a match in the Middle East, the podcast was the latest effort in that direction advertising the sport.

He is also the 1.50 favourite as of May 6 in the current boxing betting with Betway for the prospective Joshua fight. AJ is a 2.60 underdog, meanwhile.

If the bout goes ahead as expected this summer, then the time for talk is nearly over. Only the finer details remain with this super-fight agreed in principle for a while. One major reason why Joshua is the outsider is due to the fact that he has suffered defeat before.

Nobody was tipping AJ to lose the WBO, WBA, IBO, and IBF belts when he encountered Andy Ruiz Jr in Madison Square Garden in the summer of 2019. He was stopped inside seven rounds, only to regain all the titles before that year was out in a rematch held in Saudi Arabia.

That one blemish on his pro record remains, but Joshua is a dangerous opponent for Fury – however much the Gypsy King taunts him. Two British heavyweights at the pinnacle of boxing’s money division, and with a big pay-per-view by rate expected, this should be a box office smash.

The stage is now set for the super-fight between Fury and Joshua to make history. All that remains is a final deal both camps agree on and getting that contract signed.

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