Heavyweight

As Anthony Joshua prepares for a high-stakes showdown with Tyson Fury later this year, he’s turning to a key figure for support: Oleksandr Usyk. The unified heavyweight champion, who has defeated both Joshua and Fury, is providing valuable guidance as Joshua seeks a strategy to take down Fury in their highly anticipated fight.

Joshua’s journey begins on July 25, when he faces Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While this fight serves as a tune-up, it’s his clash with Fury that has boxing fans on edge. Usyk, who has spent considerable time training with Joshua in Spain and Ukraine, believes that Joshua has the ability to defeat Fury.

“I think AJ wins against Fury,” Usyk shared with BBC Sport. He praised both fighters but emphasized his support for Joshua, saying he “deserves” the win. Usyk’s belief stems from Joshua’s growth in the gym, where he’s noticed key improvements in Joshua’s boxing style.

But Usyk’s support extends beyond just technical advice. He’s also helping Joshua with the mental side of the game, drawing from his own experiences. “We speak about strategy, boxing skills, and psychology,” Usyk explained. “I say, ‘champ, come on, don’t stop.’” This emotional support is invaluable, especially after Joshua took time off following a tragic car crash that took the lives of two of his friends.

Usyk’s empathy with Joshua goes deeper, as both have experienced profound personal loss. Usyk, who has lost friends in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, shared words of encouragement with Joshua, urging him to keep pushing forward: “God gave you one more chance. Take this chance and don’t stop or cry. This is life, pray every day, and God will help you.”

Usyk’s guidance is not just about preparing for a fight—it’s about resilience in the face of adversity. He reminds Joshua to cherish every moment, both in the ring and in life. For Joshua, Usyk’s support is more than just a strategy session; it’s a crucial part of his journey toward redemption.

With Usyk’s help, Joshua is not only focusing on beating Fury but also making the most of the opportunity in front of him. This bond between the two champions could very well be the key to Joshua’s success when he faces Fury later this year.

As the highly anticipated clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua looms later this year, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, has confirmed that Fury may take a warm-up fight before facing Joshua in what will be one of the most significant British boxing bouts in history.

The two heavyweight giants are set to meet in late 2026, but the timeline leading up to their showdown is filled with strategic decisions for both fighters. Joshua, returning from a car accident in December, will first face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on July 25. This comeback fight marks a crucial moment in Joshua’s career as he looks to regain his form after two tough defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.

For Fury, who made a return to the ring earlier this month with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, questions about his readiness to face Joshua are front and center. Despite his victory, concerns remain about Fury’s lack of activity leading up to the fight, particularly given the high stakes of a potential career-defining bout. With the fight expected to take place in October or November, Fury is aiming to avoid inactivity, which can be a major disadvantage in boxing.

Fury’s Strategy: Avoiding Ring Rust

In boxing, staying active is key to maintaining peak performance, and Fury is well aware of the potential risks of inactivity. Warren confirmed that Fury is seeking a warm-up fight before his showdown with Joshua. “I think he will probably want to be doing something in between,” Warren said. “AJ has got his fight. Tyson, I’m quite sure will have a fight in between, that’s what he’s asking for, and we’ll see where we go from there.”

The warm-up bout would give Fury the chance to fine-tune his skills and ensure he’s sharp for the much-awaited encounter with Joshua. A fight of this magnitude requires both men to be at their best, and Fury’s camp is taking the necessary steps to ensure he’s in top form.

The Challenge of Selecting an Opponent

Finding the right opponent for this warm-up fight is crucial. Fury needs an opponent who will provide enough challenge to prepare him for Joshua without posing a risk to the larger fight. A loss or injury in this preliminary bout could jeopardize the multi-million-dollar Joshua showdown, which would have major consequences for both Fury’s career and the British boxing landscape.

At 37 years old, Fury is aware of the physical toll of boxing, and both he and Joshua are in the later stages of their careers. They have both experienced setbacks, and the possibility of another loss or injury before their blockbuster showdown would complicate their future in the sport.

The Bigger Picture: What’s at Stake?

This warm-up fight is part of a larger strategy to ensure that when Fury and Joshua finally meet, both are prepared for a fight that could define their careers. For Fury, staying active and sharp is critical. A loss to Joshua could drastically alter his career trajectory and his place in boxing history. Joshua, likewise, is under immense pressure to prove himself again after back-to-back defeats, and this fight could either help him reclaim his former dominance or push him to the brink of retirement.

Fury’s potential warm-up fight may not just be a minor prelude; it could play a pivotal role in making sure both men are at their peak for the showdown. With boxing fans around the world eagerly awaiting this clash, the right preparations for both fighters could be the difference between victory and defeat.

As the boxing world braces for the upcoming fight, Fury’s decision to have a warm-up bout could ultimately ensure that this long-awaited match lives up to the hype. With both fighters looking to cement their legacy, the lead-up to this fight will be just as important as the fight itself.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are set to meet in the ring for a long-awaited heavyweight showdown later this year, but with a twist. This fight will not be followed by an immediate rematch, a move that marks a stark departure from the typical pattern in boxing, where rematches are often baked into the deal. Instead, this fight will be a one-off contest, with the outcome potentially determining the future direction of both fighters’ careers.

Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, confirmed that the fight will be a one-fight deal, meaning that there will be no automatic rematch for the loser. “Yes, it is a one-fight deal,” Warren stated in an interview with BBC Sport. “When they step into the ring, for the loser, that will be it. I don’t see where he goes after that. For the winner, it’s about what he wants to do next.”

The absence of a rematch clause adds a layer of intrigue to the fight. Historically, both Fury and Joshua have relied on rematches after significant losses to maintain their top-tier status. Fury has fought Deontay Wilder, Derek Chisora, and Oleksandr Usyk multiple times, while Joshua’s career trajectory has involved immediate returns against Andy Ruiz Jr. and Usyk. These rematches have provided both fighters with opportunities to redeem themselves and regain momentum.

However, this time around, there’s no safety net. For both fighters, the stakes have never been higher. The loser of this bout could struggle to stay relevant in the heavyweight division, especially with both men nearing the tail end of their careers. Fury is 37 years old, and Joshua is 36. Their bodies have taken significant punishment, and the boxing landscape is evolving rapidly. A dominant loss could potentially end their chances of securing another big payday, particularly with the absence of a rematch to fall back on.

This shift also speaks to the changing financial dynamics in boxing. Without the pre-negotiated terms of a rematch, both Fury and Joshua are essentially betting on the fact that a victory will propel them into a higher financial stratosphere. If either fighter wins, they will have the power to negotiate their next move from a position of strength, dictating terms and potentially securing even more lucrative opportunities.

For example, if the winner of this fight can avoid the immediate rematch, they could capitalize on their newfound status as the undisputed A-side in the heavyweight division. The financial windfall from such a victory would far exceed the earnings from a second fight with a guaranteed purse split. With such a strong position, the winner could demand more favorable terms for future bouts, whether against the other or the next challenger for the heavyweight crown.

The fight is expected to take place later this year, though Joshua must first get past a comeback bout with Kristian Prenga in July. Fury might also take an interim fight to stay sharp before their showdown. Assuming both fighters emerge victorious in their preliminary contests, they will be primed for a highly anticipated bout later in the year.

By opting for a one-fight deal, both men are also acknowledging the reality of their aging careers. Both have faced long layoffs and setbacks that have impacted their momentum in recent years. Joshua’s career was halted after his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. and later, Usyk, with the immediate rematches against both fighters stalling his progress. Fury, too, was caught up in an extended saga with Deontay Wilder and then a prolonged wait for his fight against Usyk, both of which hampered his ability to move on to other significant challenges.

In this context, the one-fight deal gives them the flexibility to pivot after the bout. Both men will be free to pursue legacy-defining matches or walk away from the sport altogether if they choose. The risks of being tied to a drawn-out rematch clause could potentially harm their careers further, particularly if one fighter suffers a devastating defeat.

Ultimately, this fight between Fury and Joshua is more than just a battle for supremacy in the heavyweight division. It’s a crucial moment in both of their careers, one that will shape their legacy. Without the certainty of a rematch, both fighters are taking a calculated risk, one that could either propel them to greater heights or leave them with few viable options moving forward. The stakes have never been higher for either man, and the outcome could determine not only the future of British boxing but also the direction of the heavyweight division for years to come.