As an undisputed world heavyweight title showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua appears to move closer to reality, ‘The Gypsy King’ has claimed that he punches harder than his British counterpart.
Talk of a 2021 mega-fight gathered pace earlier in the week, after Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn publicly claimed that both parties had agreed initial financial terms for a two-fight deal.
WBC champion Fury also took to social media to claim an agreement was in place and, as he told Queensberry Promotions’ Lockdown Lowdown, he believes that he will have the edge in punch power should they meet.
“I turned pro at 19. As a child, I was boxing men,” said Fury. “Joshua never turned pro until he was mid-twenties, when he was a man. So I was learning as a young kid. If I had turned pro at 25, 26, then I’d have knocked all the people out who went the distance with me when I was a young boy.
“I’ve never been a stand-still man who lands big shots, because I’m a slick boxer. I’ve just knocked out the heaviest puncher in boxing history [Deontay Wilder]. Andy Ruiz is not a big puncher, but he knocked out Anthony Joshua.
“So I’d say I am a harder puncher than him. There’s people who have sparred both of us and quite a few of them have said it as well. But it’s not about who can punch hardest – it’s about the skill that goes behind it. I am still unbeaten in a 12-year professional career. I’m a force to be reckoned with.”