Why Joshua-Fury Could Be The Biggest Heavyweight Contest In History?
Joshua-Fury
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have finally agreed to meet each other in the ring in two bouts, something boxing fans cannot wait to happen.
Victory for Joshua or Fury will create the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 21 years. Lennox Lewis last held all the major belts in the division in 2000.
Heavyweight boxing has always been the division that has attracted the most interest. Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman were household names in the 60s and 70s, and the 90s were dominated by Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.
A Clash of the Titans
Both Joshua and Fury are special talents. AJ, the WBA, IBF and WBO champion, has tasted defeat just once. Back in 2019, he was stunned by Andy Ruiz Jr, although he did avenge that defeat six months later by beating Ruiz Jr to reclaim his heavyweight titles, and his recent victory over Kubrat Pulev indicates he could be a much better fighter now for the loss.
Fury, on the other hand, is unbeaten as a professional. He has been a world champion twice now. He first achieved that feat in 2015 by beating Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, a huge win at the time. His next triumph was just as momentous as he overcame Deontay Wilder to capture the WBC title in 2020.
Joshua and Fury are the top two fighters in the heavyweight division at the moment. What makes this such a fascinating fight is that it is a clash of styles. Joshua is the heavier puncher, while it is widely thought that Fury is the smarter of the two with his skills and ring craft. Fury is the favorite in the boxing betting at -188, but there is very little between the two men though, with Joshua available at +138. Those odds show how unpredictable this fight is likely to be.
Lewis-Tyson Last Big Heavyweight Fight
The heavyweight division struggled a little in the late 00s and early 10s. This is why this is arguably the biggest fight at the weight since Lewis took on Tyson in 2002. Those two men met at the back end of their careers, Joshua and Fury are doing so at their peak.
Lewis proved too strong for Tyson in that mega clash in Memphis, stopping his opponent in the eighth round. It was a one-sided contest as the American failed to land often against the bigger man.
When it comes to money, these two upcoming fights will trump anything else ever generated in heavyweight boxing. It is anticipated that they could be worth as much as £200 million. A 50-50 split has been agreed upon for the first contest.
No venue has been confirmed for the opening bout, but it is unlikely that it will take place in the UK. The Middle East is thought to be leading the race to secure the fight. Joshua fought in Saudi Arabia in 2020 when he beat Ruiz Jr in his rematch.
It’s a fight that is not to be missed and at the end of it, we could find out who is the best heavyweight of their generation.
