Tyson Fury praised Anthony Joshua for his brutal early knockout of Francis Ngannou, but told his long-time rival that if they finally meet in a massive showdown in the future it will be a different story.
Fury was cut and knocked down by Ngannou in a stunning performance in the former UFC heavyweight champion’s professional boxing debut in October, ultimately earning a contentious decision on the scorecards.
But Joshua had no such problems against Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday night, defeating him three times in just two rounds with a comprehensive and brutal early stoppage that will live long in the memory.
Such an impressive victory puts the former two-time unified world heavyweight champion in line for a shot against the winner of the rescheduled undisputed bout between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, which took place in Riyadh on May 18 after a nasty cut from Fury in training. putting it. caused their planned February match to be postponed.
Fury was ringside in Riyadh to watch Joshua’s devastating knockout of Ngannou; Earlier he was there along with wife Paris, father John and brother Tommy Fury to watch another brother Roman move to 4-0 as a pro with a win over Czech heavyweight Martin Svarc. .
Speaking to DAZN, self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ Joshua was impressed by his lethal display as he admitted his own fight against Ngannou, but insisted he would come out on top in a massive, all-Britain showdown that has been years in the making.
“I’m sure Oleksandr Usyk will have something to say about that considering he’s beaten him twice,” Fury said.
“In real boxing, it’s me and Usyk fighting for the undisputed world heavyweight world title. I had an excellent performance against Ngannou and almost got it right, I predicted one round.
“He did an absolutely fantastic job tonight, burning him with that right hand and knocking him out. That’s what a boxer should do with him, but if he fights next year it’ll be a different match.”
Fury admitted that any potential fight with Joshua is a long way off, with both he and Usyk carrying a rematch clause that would almost certainly guarantee a second uncontested meeting immediately after the first, barring any injuries.
This will leave Joshua needing to find other opponents to stay busy before taking his shot, with Fury suggesting his opponent should face Filip Hrgovic for the IBF heavyweight title.
That belt, which was Joshua’s first world title win against American Charles Martin in 2016, is currently held by Usyk, but will be vacated by the winner of his first meeting with Fury as rematch clauses mean they cannot be honored. A mandatory defense against No. 1 challenger Hrgovic, the undefeated Croatian contender who is expected to fight someone else for the gold medal.
“There’s still a long way to go, AJ has a great performance but I’ve got bigger fish to fish,” Fury said.
“If we are both still available after my two fights with Usyk, let’s get started.
“He needs to stay active and maybe he can fight Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF belt.”
On his dreams of a future pair of bouts with Joshua, including a bout at Wembley, Fury added: “I’ll face AJ when I’m done with the rabbit.
“Hopefully we can do one in Saudi Arabia and one at Wembley!”
After demolishing Ngannou, Joshua reiterated his desire to meet the Usyk-Fury winner.
“I need to talk to you [promoter] Eddie [Hearn]Match Room Boxing course, 258 Management, [trainer] Ben Davison and his team. “They will shape my future, I am only here to fight,” he said.
“I’ll go back to my cage and lock myself up, then come out when it’s time to fight again.
“Whatever they want me to do, whatever it is, I’m ready.”
Asked if facing the Usyk-Fury winner was what he wanted to do next, he said: “Yes it is.”
Hearn was thrilled with Joshua’s performance against Ngannou, calling him the best heavyweight on the planet and imploring Fury to beat Usyk so they can finally go toe-to-toe in what he calls the greatest fight in boxing history.
“I’m so proud of him because there was a lot of pressure on him tonight,” Hearn said of Joshua. “People are talking about what will happen if he loses to Francis Ngannou.
“He threw the dice because His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia] “If we win this fight, we will fight the winner of Fury against Usyk,” he said.
“There was a demonstration here in October; It was called Battle of the Worsts, where the baddest man on the planet would be determined. They shouldn’t have done this in October, they should have done this tonight because right now you’re looking at the baddest man on the planet.
“You’re looking at the number one heavyweight in the world. Undisputed. In this form there is no one in the world who can beat him at heavyweight.
“I told you he would come back and be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Below is a great fighter named Tyson Fury.
“Please, please defeat Oleksandr Usyk on May 18, because I promise you this, you will have the greatest fight in the history of the sport when Anthony Joshua takes the undisputed world title.
“Anthony Joshua always stayed in the gym, always worked out, never took any shortcuts in his life. As a fighter, he is an inspiration to young people. I promise you, he is undefeated. He is the best heavyweight in the world and this is the best I have ever seen.” It was one of those devastating knockouts.
“People talk about how Tyson Fury did against Ngannou, forget that. What I said would happen happened. He went there, destroyed Francis Ngannou.
“This man is a savage, a beast, the best heavyweight in the world and I can’t wait for him to beat Tyson Fury.”