Despite being a long-time friend of Tyson Fury, Billy Joe Saunders has given a balanced assessment of the 37-year-old’s expected clash with Anthony Joshua.
The two heavyweights are set to square off after their respective warm-up fights, yet no date or location has been revealed for their long-anticipated showdown.
In the meantime, ‘AJ’ must defeat Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 25, entering his first outing since securing a sixth-round finish over Jake Paul in December.
This also represents the 36-year-old’s first fight since losing his two close friends to a tragic car crash in Nigeria, further explaining why he is not rolling the dice against a more established heavyweight.
Fury, meanwhile, ended a 16-month layoff and returned to action in April, unanimously outpointing Arslanbek Makhmudov with a relatively lacklustre performance.
‘The Gypsy King’ therefore feels as though he could do with another warm-up fight, hoping to squeeze one in at some point in August.
Regardless of whether this materialises, though, former two-weight world champion Saunders has suggested the Joshua fight will be determined by who can implement their tactics most effectively.
Speaking with The Stomping Ground, Saunders explained that, while Fury might be the superior technician, Joshua should be credited for his physical prowess and accuracy.
“They’ve both got their [own] attributes. AJ’s stronger, a cleaner puncher. Tyson’s a better boxer, more slick.
“[Whoever] can put together [the best] gameplan will win, I think.”
Given Joshua’s training relationship with Oleksandr Usyk, it might be that he has already gained an insight into what it takes to defeat Fury.
