Over the weekend, both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua returned to action in contrasting performances, and now former WBO cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson has provided a fresh prediction for Britain’s blockbuster heavyweight bout.
Fury fought for the second time this year in a low-profile meeting with 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand. In a relatively humdrum, slow-paced encounter, Fury won every round but it took him until the seventh to bring the contest to a close, as Wach retired in the corner.
Meanwhile, Joshua got the job done inside two rounds against Albania’s Kristian Prenga atop a pay-per-view bill in Saudi Arabia, but the win followed a catastrophic opening round, where Joshua was decked twice and looked to have little remaining punch resistance.
Speaking with Sky Sports, Nelson admitted that the vulnerability shown by Joshua has convinced him to favour Fury in their eventual grudge match.
“I am an AJ fan, but I would have to lean towards Tyson Fury’s fluidity, his boxing ability. That vulnerability, from Anthony Joshua, getting caught by that sneaky little uppercut inside, then getting caught again and getting put against the ropes and getting a standing count from the referee – these are natural shots for Tyson Fury.
“When it comes to heart, determination, desire and want, I would put that in the corner of Anthony Joshua. But, on last night’s performance, and Friday night’s performance, I would have to lean towards Tyson Fury from what I have seen.”
It is believed that Fury-Joshua will take place in November, but the location is unknown, with New York City understood to be the current frontrunner – much to the frustration of British fight fans.
Continuing, Nelson went on to explain why he expects the event to be staged in the USA.
“Of course, I think it has to take place in the U.K, I don’t think it will. I think they can make as much noise as they want, [saying] we want it to be here and that it’s about contracts any everything, but I think it’s going to be stateside because that is where the money is.
“That is the audience that they are trying to capture the attention of and that is where the paymaster realistically wants it, as well.”
Further details regarding Fury-Joshua are anticipated to be announced in the coming weeks, with the fight potentially set to be the career finale’s for both of the respective two-time heavyweight world champions.
