Anthony Joshua has picked Oleksandr Usyk to beat Tyson Fury in their undisputed heavyweight clash.

Their fight takes place on  February 17, 2024, for the right to become the best of their era. Joshua has faced Usyk twice, coming up short and losing on the scorecards. The Brit failed to impose his size and strength, which Fury will be looking to do. Joshua’s prediction does not factor in the fact Fury is undefeated. He has beaten one of the most destructive punchers in the heavyweight division, Deontay Wilder, and one of Ukraine’s greatest boxers, Wladimir Klitschko. That is why the fight has divided fans, with people on both sides picking the other to win.

Joshua On Fury-Usyk

“It’s going to be a good fight. I think Usyk edges it. I’m not really bothered. I just want them both to be healthy and leave the ring. It’s a tough game. So that’s all I can ask for, that they leave the ring healthy. In terms of how it goes, it doesn’t affect my life, in a way. I’m not like one of those fans that’s starts crying because someone won or lost. It is what it is. Tomorrow comes around. Good luck to both of them,” Joshua said 

Despite this being the case, Joshua hopes Fury comes out on top. Fury and Joshua had been linked with facing each other on two occasions. The first offer from Fury’s camp of 60-40 came before the Gypsy King’s fight with Derek Chisora. The fight failed to get made after Joshua’s camp alleged that the tight deadlines no longer made it realistic for them to face each other.

A second offer was made after Fury’s fight with Usyk in April collapsed. A summer date was lined up, but Joshua’s team decided to take on Dillian Whyte. That fight was called off after Whyte failed a drug test. But rather than face Fury, Joshua opted for Robert Helenius. But now the Brit has had a change of heart. He wants to take on Fury for the right to become Britain’s finest.

Joshua On Fury

“Probably the opportunity to fight Tyson Fury. I think that’s a better fight for the fans and myself,” Joshua stated

Joshua may have seen Fury’s performance against Francis Ngannou and taken heart from that. The former UFC heavyweight champion troubled Fury through the bout, dropping him in the third. He continued to press the action moving forward until the final bell. Although Ngannou lost a split decision on the cards, some in the boxing community felt he had done enough to win. Carl Froch was very vocal about how he felt the decision was corruption at the ‘highest level.’ Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, also clarified that Ngannou should have been victorious. Now may be the time for Joshua to take on Fury.