According to former professional British boxer David Haye, Anthony Joshua is the only contender with the potential to defeat Tyson Fury in the heavyweight division.
After his victory against the previously undefeated Deontay Wilder, Fury emerged as the leading heavyweight boxer with an unblemished record, while Joshua suffered a defeat to Andy Ruiz in June last year.
An all-British showdown between Joshua and Fury is in the cards for the end of the year when the Coronavirus crisis possibly comes to an end. Haye believes that Joshua is the only one with the right mindset and skillset to challenge Fury.
During his career from 2002 to 2018, Haye held multiple world championships in two weight classes. In an interview with Boxing Social, he expressed, “I just think the only person who has the artillery, the skill set, the athleticism, the clean living, the know-how, the experience, to have a chance to beat Fury is Anthony Joshua.
“I think he’s the only person right now, realistically, most people would say if anyone’s got a chance I’m putting it on Anthony Joshua. So, he’s the only guy who has the tools to do it.
“I think if he lands his shots on Fury, the way Fury’s been put down before – his chin looked good last time out – but Anthony Joshua is a master boxer as well.
David Haye with Tyson Fury
“I think people underestimate his boxing skill. He hasn’t been boxing as long as Fury has, so he’s still learning.
“I don’t know, I can see Fury outboxing Joshua long, on the inside, but then again I can see the middle-range of Joshua letting his hands go.
“He throws such crisp shots, uppercuts, hooks. The way he knocked out Alexander Povetkin, the fight was uncomfortable for him for a couple o rounds but when he put his shots together, it was over.
“As soon as he starts tagging people, he’s got a hell of a lot of explosivity in his body. He’s big, strong, robust.
“The fight he lost against Andy Ruiz Jr didn’t flatter him in any way.
“It wasn’t like he lost on a split decision. It was a horrible loss and I think people look at that and think, ‘Ah, he lost to him.’ Boxing doesn’t work like that.
“I lost to Carl Thompson in my eleventh fight, but then three years later I’m undisputed number one.
“It doesn’t matter, as long as you learn from that, you can come back.”
David Haye twice pulled out of fights with Tyson Fury due to injury.
