Undisputed Usyk tips Joshua to beat Fury

Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has backed Anthony Joshua to defeat Tyson Fury on points if the British heavyweights eventually meet in the ring, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

 The Ukrainian, who recently defended his titles with a unanimous decision victory over Fury in their rematch in Riyadh, made the prediction despite acknowledging that ‘The Gypsy King’ gave him tougher nights in their two encounters.

 “Maybe Anthony Joshua. Maybe on points,” Usyk told Boxing King Media when asked about the potential matchup between his former opponents.

 The heavyweight king has faced both men, claiming the unified heavyweight titles from Joshua in 2021 and then defending them against the British-Nigerian in a 2022 rematch before claiming undisputed status against Fury earlier this year and retaining the crowns in their rematch last weekend.

 Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has identified only two important fights for his charge, a clash with Fury and a rematch with current IBF champion Daniel Dubois, who stopped the British-Nigerian in September.

 With Dubois scheduled to defend his belt against Joseph Parker on February 22, the path appears clear for the long-awaited Fury vs Joshua showdown, although it would no longer crown an undisputed champion.

 Usyk has consistently shown respect for Joshua, recently including the former two-time champion in his list of top five boxers alongside pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, despite the British-Nigerian’s recent setbacks.

 The 34-year-old suffered his fourth professional loss against Dubois at Wembley Stadium, with Hearn revealing his fighter is still “hurting” from the devastating defeat.

 “Yeah, he is hurting. He took a pasting at times in that fight and I think he has got his back up and wants to come back stronger,” Hearn told talkSPORT.

 The Fury vs Joshua clash, once considered the biggest fight in boxing, remains highly anticipated despite recent losses for both men.