Speculation with regards to a showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been rife after the Gypsy King announced his retirement from boxing in January
George Groves agrees with Ricky Hatton that Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua is a pick ’em fight.
The Gypsy King poured water on any hopes of a showdown with his long-time rival in January when he announced his retirement from boxing, but as Fury has retired five times in total now, many fight fans have understandably taken his most recent step-back with a pinch of salt.
Despite both achieving world championship status at heavyweight and being on a collision course for most of their respective careers, Fury and AJ have never managed to set a date to meet in the squared circle. And while Carl Froch last month said that it would be a “total mismatch” in Fury’s favour should a fight come to fruition in the near future, former WBA super middleweight champion Groves sees it differently.
In an exclusive interview with Express via Lottoland, boxing betting, Groves said: “Joshua’s last loss to Daniel Dubois was pretty devastating. Dubois got it right that night, he jumped on Joshua, who probably wanted to ease into the fight.
“He wasn’t able to, and he got knocked out badly, on the biggest stage, at the tail end of his career. That’s serious mileage.
“But Fury’s also had back-to-back losses, maybe three if you include the [Francis] Ngannou fight, which didn’t impress. He was lucky to get the decision.
“Then he lost twice to [Oleksandr] Usyk. That’s probably just as mentally draining as Joshua’s loss to Dubois. I think it’s a pick ’em fight. Fury’s heavier, more agile, better boxing IQ, faster hands.
“Joshua is still a great athlete, punches ridiculously hard, and has loads of big-fight experience. It comes down to who performs on the night, who wants it more, who’s got the most left. I disagree with Froch – I don’t think it’s a walkover.”
It comes as Stockport-born former light welterweight champion, Hatton, agreed that it would be a tough fight to call. Speaking to Vegas Insider, the 46-year-old said: “It’s a tough one, I think it’s 50/50, I wouldn’t say either would be the favourite.
“AJ, the way he was in the corner even before he was knocked out, was a little bit casual, and I think he took Daniel Dubois lightly. He was that convinced before the fight, going into the fight, and even during the fight.
“He’s very laid back so maybe I am giving him a bit of a disservice, but he did look like he thought he was the better man and just needed to turn up to beat Daniel…I know he is a laid-back type but I think he took his eye off the ball with Daniel and you can’t do something like that with Daniel.”
Off the back of a controversial split-decision win over Francis Ngannou in 2023, Fury suffered back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, not only seeing the first two defeats of his professional career, but also missing out on the chance to taste undisputed glory at heavyweight.
With the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles on the line, Fury narrowly missed out to the undefeated Ukrainian via split-decision in May 2024, before Usyk erased any doubts whatsoever by securing a unanimous decision win over the Gypsy King in an instant rematch just four days before Christmas.
Fury then took to social media at the turn of the year to announce his retirement from the sport. However, Groves isn’t convinced that the 36-year-old is truly finished with the sport. He added: “He’s retired five times now, so we know retirement means nothing.
“There are benefits to retiring. You don’t have to live like an athlete anymore or adhere to British Boxing Board of Control requirements. He’s got no belt to be stripped, and if he comes out of retirement, as he’s done before, it might add value and excitement to the fight.
“I’m almost certain he’ll fight Anthony Joshua once Joshua recovers from injury or elbow surgery. That’ll probably be later this year, likely in Saudi Arabia. They’re both prize fighters.
“They’ve both been boxing their entire lives. They’ve earned enough and achieved plenty, but they won’t leave the table while there’s still something left for them. They’ll fight each other – and I’d like to see it.”
