Anthony Joshua will KNOCK OUT Tyson Fury and make ‘serious statement’, predicts boxing icon Bernard Hopkins
FORMER two-weight world champion Bernard Hopkins believes Anthony Joshua will stop Tyson Fury in their expected dust-up next year. The 55-year-old American – who now works as a promoter for Golden Boy – has backed AJ to make a statement when he finally faces his British rival inside the ring. It was revealed in June […]
FORMER two-weight world champion Bernard Hopkins believes Anthony Joshua will stop Tyson Fury in their expected dust-up next year.
The 55-year-old American – who now works as a promoter for Golden Boy – has backed AJ to make a statement when he finally faces his British rival inside the ring.
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It was revealed in June that Fury and Joshua have agreed a two-fight deal in 2021 providing they both emerge victorious in their next bouts.
Fury is currently wrangling with Deontay Wilder over whether they have a trilogy fight while Joshua must get past Kubrat Pulev tonight with his WBA, WBO and IBF belts on the line.
Discussing the dream match-up between the two, Hopkins – who won 55 out 67 fights in the paid ranks – has stated that Joshua’s experience will see him earn a late stoppage.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Toe 2 Toe podcast earlier this year, he said: “Joshua vs Fury is a fight that both guys could win or lose.
“I like Joshua to be tested, to get his feelings hurt early – that might be a knock-down but he will get up.
“Because of the lesson that he learned being, not unprepared, but overconfident he paid a big price. He redeemed himself.
“Now that is in his memory – what not to do ever again – Joshua beats Fury by knockout late.
“It will be an interesting, exciting five or six rounds at the beginning. Then Joshua’s athleticism, boxing IQ and experience would overwhelm Fury.
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“Joshua would come out of a dust-storm based on his experience.
“At this point he has to make a really serious statement based on [the Andy Ruiz Jr loss]. Redemption.
“This fight is Joshua’s stamp of approval of being great. He’s not there yet. He is in legacy building mode.”