Tyson Fury better than Anthony Joshua in EVERY department, claims Frank Warren – but analysis shows Brits evenly poised
TYSON FURY “beats Anthony Joshua all day long”, claims the Gypsy King’s promoter Frank Warren. The two Brits hold all the world’s heavyweight belts – with Eddie Hearn revealing the pair had signed a two-fight deal. But Warren is adamant it would be one-way traffic, believing his man is better in every department. Speaking to […]
TYSON FURY “beats Anthony Joshua all day long”, claims the Gypsy King’s promoter Frank Warren.
The two Brits hold all the world’s heavyweight belts – with Eddie Hearn revealing the pair had signed a two-fight deal.
But Warren is adamant it would be one-way traffic, believing his man is better in every department.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the legendary promoter said: “Has AJ got a better jab than Fury? No. Is AJ a bigger puncher? I don’t think so.
“Has he got a better chin? I don’t think so. Has he got the hand speed or footwork of Fury? I don’t think so.
“Tyson is so good in every department. When you saw him get off the floor from that punch by [Deontay] Wilder it tells you what he’s all about.”
Here SunSport takes a look at these fighting elements to give a clue as to who would win the heavyweight clash.
JAB
In his own rematch, against Deontay Wilder, Fury mixed solid jabs with power punches many doubted he possessed to blast the American out of there.
The jab stats from the pair’s latest fights make interesting reading.
Joshua finished with a 24.1 per cent success rate from the 12 rounds, landing 65 jabs from 270 thrown.
Fury, in his seven rounds against Wilder had a 22.4 per cent success rate, landing 24 from 107 thrown.
Fury has a big reach advantage and would need to be using that to keep AJ at bay if they fought.
But Joshua showed he still has all the jab and move skills ingrained on him coming through the amateurs.
Verdict – Even
PUNCH POWER
Fury laughed off Wilder’s taunts that he had “pillow fists” – then showed the American that they were much more akin to granite in a stunning KO win.
But while the Morecambe magician does punch hard, he isn’t on the same level as Joshua.
Despite easily outboxing Ruiz Jr in the rematch, many were left disappointed that Joshua didn’t go for the finish against a clearly unfit opponent.
But after a freak shot scrambled his senses in their first meeting, that’s perhaps why.
Joshua has 21 KOs from his 23 fights, including impressive stoppages against Dillian Whyte, Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin.
Fury also has 21 KOs from his 30 fights – the most impressive being his Wilder battering.
Verdict – Joshua
CHIN
Both boxers have been stunned in their careers by hitting the canvas.
Joshua was floored four times as he was the victim of one of boxing’s biggest ever shocks in his June 2019 loss to Ruiz Jr.
He was also sent to the canvas by the legendary Wladimir Klitschko – but that has happened to many boxers of the years.
Fury being flattened by Wilder when they first fought in December 2018 was less shocking – Wilder is the definition of a ‘finisher’, but Fury rose twice to claim the draw.
The only other time he was floored was against usual middleweight Steve Cunningham back in 2013. But he came back to stop Cunningham in the seventh round.
It’s a tight one, but AJ has been rocked one too many times compared to Fury.
Verdict – Fury
HAND SPEED
Joshua has been accused of “looking like a bodybuilder” by his rival Fury, but he is no slouch in the ring.
And his hand-speed is no different. Fast hands saw him dominate nearly all his amateur fights, and he has explosive fists that can end bouts.
The argument here when comparing is that most of AJ’s shots involve him putting all his weight in.
Fury undoubtedly has quick hands, everyone knows that. But how many hold the sort of power AJ possesses?
Verdict – Joshua
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FOOTWORK
This one is cut and dried and what stands Fury out in the sport.
And it’s a subject that could be the undoing of Joshua if he doesn’t get it right.
For his size, Fury is a freak with his footwork – he dances around opponents and mixed with him switching styles, leaves most bamboozled.
Joshua’s was heavily criticised in the aftermath of the Ruiz Jr defeat fro lumbering around the ring like a giant.
His footwork was all over the place, crossing his feet and leaving him off-balance and an easy target for a traditional big-puncher.
Of course in the rematch AJ got it spot on – no doubt being brought back to lessons learned as an amateur by bis loyal coach Rob McCracken.
Verdict – Fury