The long-awaited showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury continues generating huge discussion across boxing, and former world champion Tony Bellew has now shared his prediction for the blockbuster heavyweight clash.
Joshua and Fury have reportedly agreed on terms for a fight later this year in what many fans consider the biggest fight in British boxing history. After years of failed negotiations and near misses, excitement surrounding the matchup has reached another level.
As debate continues over who would come out on top, Bellew believes one thing is almost guaranteed.
Tony Bellew predicts Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury will end inside the distance
Speaking about the potential clash on ‘Fight Your Corner Podcast’, Bellew admitted he feels strongly that the fight will not reach the final bell.
“The only thing that I can fully, really commit to and put my hand on my heart and say, ‘I really genuinely think this is going to happen’ is that it ain’t going the distance,” Bellew said.
The former cruiserweight world champion believes both men possess too much power and vulnerability for the fight to last all twelve rounds.
However, Bellew admitted he still has questions surrounding Joshua and wants to see him back inside the ring before fully committing to a winner.
“The reason that I can’t put my hand on my heart and think ‘it is Josh’ is because I need to see Josh in a ring and see what he can do,” Bellew explained.
Bellew believes Joshua can knock Fury out
Although Bellew stopped short of officially picking Joshua, he did explain the path he believes could lead to victory.
According to Bellew, if Joshua fights aggressively and lets his hands go early, he remains dangerous enough to stop any heavyweight in the world.
“The case that I could make for him is, if he gets in that ring and lets his hands go for just six rounds,” Bellew said.
“Even if he thinks ‘I am just going to let them go’, he has got the capability of knocking anybody out.”
Bellew eventually leaned toward a knockout scenario involving Joshua.
“That is what I will be predicting,” he added. “Joshua could knock him out.”
The fight has become one of boxing’s most talked-about storylines in recent weeks after reports suggested the all-British heavyweight showdown had finally been agreed for November.
Before facing Fury, Joshua is set to return against Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. while Fury has also been linked with taking an interim bout before the proposed showdown.
Still, anticipation continues building around a fight many fans have waited years to see.
And if Bellew’s prediction proves correct, the long-awaited heavyweight collision may deliver a dramatic finish rather than a tactical twelve-round battle.
