Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Boxing legends’ predictions ahead of fight as Tyson backs namesake but Klitschko says AJ

ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to take on Tyson Fury in the fight the whole world has been desperate to see. Two British heavyweight kings. Two comeback stories. One from the depths of depression and mental health struggles. The other from a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr that rocked his foundations to the core. Two […]

ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to take on Tyson Fury in the fight the whole world has been desperate to see.

Two British heavyweight kings. Two comeback stories.

One from the depths of depression and mental health struggles. The other from a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr that rocked his foundations to the core.

Two different fighters with two very different styles.

One winner – who will it be?

Everyone has an opinion on it, even Ray Winstone, who reckons Fury will come out on top in the bout set for Las Vegas or the Middle East.

Here, we have listed the boxing legends and who they think will reign supreme

Mike Tyson

Iron Mike has backed his namesake – who also claimed he accepted an offer to fight the 53-year-old ahead of his own comeback.

Tyson said: “He is the best heavyweight champion of the world since myself. He is the man, I don’t care what anybody says.”

The Baddest Man on the Planet also left AJ off his list of his top five current boxers.

George Foreman

The former two-time world heavyweight champion sees no way in which AJ can prevail.

He said: “That boy Tyson Fury, you’re going to have to bring everything you’ve got to beat him.

“I’m going to be honest with you – I just can’t see Joshua beating him.”

David Haye

The Hayemaker believes Joshua – who has agreed a two-fight deal with Fury – is the only heavyweight around with the complete skill set to beat the Gypsy King.

He said: “I just think the only person who has the artillery, the skill set, the athleticism, the clean living, the know-how, the experience, to have a chance to beat Fury is Anthony Joshua.

“I think he’s the only person right now, realistically, most people would say if anyone’s got a chance I’m putting it on Anthony Joshua. So, he’s the only guy who has the tools to do it.

“I think if he lands his shots on Fury, the way Fury’s been put down before – his chin looked good last time out – but Anthony Joshua is a master boxer as well.”

Ricky Hatton

The Hitman is close mates with Fury and, asked to pick a winner for this bout, replied simply: “Fury.”

Nuff said. Also, he can vouch first hand Fury’s claim that he punches harder than Joshua.

Evander Holyfield

Holyfield is in no doubt who would win.

He told Sky Sports: “Tyson Fury. He can fight! The difference in people is how hard they work.

“Joshua may be the better boxer of all of them but, with Fury, you never know. He has long arms and throws shots that you don’t see. He can make adjustments.

“Boxing is mental – it’s about who is stronger in the mind, that outweighs physical things. People thought they could beat me because of how I look.

“With Fury, he doesn’t look like he can do it but he keeps proving that he can.”

Tony Bellew

Only one winner for the Bomber.

He said: “The top three heavyweights today, if you’re going on what they’re actually doing, you can’t really knock Tyson Fury for what he’s doing since he’s come back. I understand why people have him No1.

“I have to put Fury No 1, but I still think AJ beats him. Styles make fights, and I think AJ’s style is all wrong for Fury.”

Wladimir Klitschko

Klitschko, who lost that epic April 2017 bout to AJ at Wembley, spoke earlier this year about his prediction.

He said: “Joshua is a superior athlete, great fighter, Olympic champion.

“Most importantly, he’s a great guy, who carries the torch of this image of a heavyweight champion perfectly. I’m proud to call him as a friend, even though we were [rivals].

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