Former boxing champion Tim Bradley has made a bold prediction regarding the current state of the heavyweight division. According to Bradley, Anthony Joshua’s recent wins have caused his stock to rise significantly, while Tyson Fury seems to be on a downward spiral. Bradley suggests that Joshua, with a record of 28-3 and 25 knockouts, has the ability to defeat WBC heavyweight champion Fury now. In fact, Bradley even questions Fury’s chances of getting past IBF/WBA/WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk in their upcoming clash on May 18th. Bradley believes that Fury, at the age of 35, is showing signs of decline and has lost some of the spark that made him a formidable opponent in the past.
Bradley credits Joshua’s improvement to his trainer, Ben Davison, who has worked on enhancing Joshua’s technical skills and instilling confidence in him. This transformation has been evident since Joshua’s loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019. In contrast, Fury seems to have aged significantly since his last fight with Deontay Wilder in 2021. Some speculate that the punishment Fury endured in that fight may have taken a toll on him physically. Bradley draws parallels between Fury’s current state and that of his father, John Fury, who was past his prime at the age of 30. This raises concerns about whether Tyson Fury’s career as a fighter could be coming to an end at the age of 35.
In Bradley’s view, Joshua’s resume speaks for itself when compared to Fury’s. He points out that the version of Fury seen in recent fights would not stand a chance against Joshua. Bradley expresses uncertainty about Fury’s ability to get past Usyk and emphasizes the importance of a potential rematch between Joshua and Fury. He highlights the significance of a head-to-head battle between the two British heavyweight champions to determine the best in the country, if not the world.
Echoing Bradley’s sentiments, boxing expert Paulie Malignaggi believes that Joshua’s momentum is currently unstoppable. Malignaggi points out that Usyk and Fury did not look their best in their recent fights, while Joshua has become the talk of the heavyweight division. Despite Joshua’s lack of significant victories since his triumph over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017, Malignaggi acknowledges the star power and IT factor that Joshua possesses, making him a force to be reckoned with in the division.
The assessments of Tim Bradley and Paulie Malignaggi paint a compelling picture of the contrasting trajectories of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in the heavyweight division. While Joshua’s stock is on the rise, fueled by his recent wins and technical improvements, Fury’s career seems to be in decline, with questions surrounding his ability to compete at the highest level. As the boxing world eagerly anticipates the upcoming clashes involving both fighters, the outcomes could potentially reshape the landscape of the heavyweight division. Only time will tell whether Joshua’s rise will continue unabated, or if Fury can defy the odds and reclaim his former glory.