During these past two weeks, Anthony Joshua has been creating a bit of social media controversy with tweets and alleged private direct messages. People have seen a different Joshua online, who usually has stayed away from public trash talk especially on social media.
It’s not a secret that Joshua used to sell drugs and nearly quit boxing because of trouble caused by his actions at the time. He has since done a complete 180 turn and become a true role model to many as the heavyweight champion of the world.
During Joshua’s rise to the top, Tyson Fury went from king of boxing to king nothing in a short period of time.
WBO World middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders says both fighters are on the same level in his eyes. Saunders also questions Joshua’s position as number one.
“Anthony Joshua is a role model. He’s got the job, they gave him the job as the role model. They gave him the job as the goodie. Tyson’s got the job of the baddie. The criminal. The drug user. Anthony Joshua could have sold him them drugs. We don’t know. Tyson took the drugs. To me they are both on the same level but when it comes to the real thing – the boxing – Anthony Joshua is a very good talent. He’s got a good team around him what guides him. But is he really the king of kings? Forget about Wilder, is he really the king of kings until he beats Tyson Fury?” said Saunders in an interview with IFL.tv.
Fury’s memorable performance against Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 shocked the boxing world and helped boxing achieve its mainstream status back again. Saunders believes Joshua wouldn’t be world champion without Fury.
Many wars were won with heart ❤️.
Along with sweet Science. pic.twitter.com/2GXkNedZ4z— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) November 22, 2017
“If Tyson Fury did not go to Germany and did what he did, none of them would be World champion. Klitschko [Wladimir] would still be around today ‘picking him and him’. Tyson Fury unlocked the door for all the belts to be given around the world. Including Joshua’s,” told Saunders.
Saunders firmly believes if and when Joshua-Fury happens, ‘The Gypsy King’ will have a ‘comfortable fight’.
“If I was to think that it’s a close fight. I’d say it. I don’t talk s**t around boxing. Tyson can make that a comfortable fight for himself,” he told.
One of the biggest difference makers in Tyson’s boxing life is his trainer Ben Davison.
“A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter. Tyson obviously wasn’t happy in the past or in the last 18 months. But Ben brings the happiness out in fighters. He brings fun into the element. I don’t know where Tyson’s gonna go. If he’s going to train with Peter [Fury] or is he going to train with Ben but whoever Tyson trains with, when he is on it, there is not a heavyweight to beat him.”
Fury has posted many videos online of him back in the ring training and hitting the pads. Saunders says he was immediately impressed with what he saw.
Who would bet against me on getting back to this shape? pic.twitter.com/o2YGbQ7hip
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) November 22, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbum-sxDIXH/?hl=fi&taken-by=gypsyking101
Can Fury climb back on top of the boxing heavyweight division? Saunders says yes.
“You look at him on the pads now, he’s out of shape. There is no fitness there. Look at the speed, look at how he’s moving. He’s moving like a middleweight and that’s hard to find. If he puts his head to it this year, gets his weight down, I believe by the end of 2018 he’ll have everything back,” he summarised.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbw79lFDht_/?hl=fi&taken-by=gypsyking101
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