John Fury tips Anthony Joshua to ‘bounce back’ and avenge his defeat against Oleksandr Usyk in crucial heavyweight rematch… as he admits son Tyson’s rival is a ‘brilliant athlete’ who isn’t in it for the money
- Anthony Joshua suffered the second defeat of his career vs Oleksandr Usyk
- The Brit has exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch
- Tyson Fury’s father John believes he has what it takes to beat Usyk next year
- Doing so would see Joshua reclaim his three world heavyweight titles
Anthony Joshua is a ‘brilliant athlete’ who has what it takes to ‘bounce back’ and avenge his defeat against Oleksandr Usyk next year, says John Fury.
Joshua, 32, was beaten conclusively by Usyk when they first collided at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, losing his three world heavyweight titles via unanimous decision after failing to get close to the Ukrainian over 12 rounds.
Two weeks on from the defeat AJ opted to trigger his immediate rematch clause, yet he recently flirted with the possibility of accepting step-aside money to allow Usyk and WBC holder Tyson Fury to instead battle it out for heavyweight supremacy.
John Fury believes Anthony Joshua has what it takes to bounce back against Oleksandr Usyk
Nevertheless, on Tuesday the WBC ended any immediate talk of an undisputed clash between Fury and Usyk by ordering their champion to face mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte next.
Joshua is therefore poised to meet Usyk for a second time next year, and he can little afford another defeat if he has any ambitions of reaching the heavyweight summit once more.
But Fury Sr, the father of AJ’s rival Tyson, is backing the Brit to right the wrong next time around.
Joshua was beaten by Usyk via unanimous decision when they first met back in September
The Brit has already activated his rematch clause, meaning he will meet Usyk again next year
‘It’s business boxing and I do believe AJ wants to fight Usyk, that’s why he asked for £40 million (step-aside money). I’d ask for £70 million, so good luck AJ,’ he told iFL TV.
‘But I do believe AJ wants to avenge his loss and he can bounce back, he’s proved it. In AJ’s case now it’s not about the money, it’s more of a pride thing with him.
‘I don’t blame the lad, I’ve had a lot of good nights with him. He’s a brilliant athlete, let’s not kick a man whilst he’s down because he’s better than that.’
Joshua’s long-time promoter Eddie Hearn recently revealed his man warned him to only present a step-aside offer if it was too good to turn down.
Fury Sr has branded AJ a ‘brilliant athlete’ and tipped him to come out on top in the rematch
‘All he wants to do is fight Oleksandr Usyk, and he trusts me,’ he said.
‘If some kind of plan comes up that is a great financial package and more importantly gives him more time to gel with a new trainer and then go into a massive fight for huge money later in the year and I think that’s right for his career then I should let him know.
‘But he said “let me warn you, when you do that, you’re under threat yourself because I don’t want to do it.”‘