Tyson Fury has been open about the two fights he wants next – and has now named which one he believes to be the tougher test.
Following his demolition of a brave Derek Chisora, ‘The Gypsy King’ could finally talk next moves. It’s well known already that negotiations have been going on behind the scenes for him to face the other belt holder in the division, Oleksandr Usyk – a fight which would crown an undisputed heavyweight champion.
Whilst that looks likely for late February or early March, Fury also called out Joe Joyce – the undefeated Olympic Medalist who recently impressed with a win over Joseph Parker. It’s a scrap that Fury fancies at Wembley in the summer.
Speaking at his post-fight press conference, he told BT Sport that he believes Joyce to be a tougher match up than Usyk, despite a fight with the latter holding much more significance.
“People have been asking me all night – who’s the tougher fight, Usyk or Joyce? And in my opinion, Usyk’s the slicker boxer, but Joe Joyce is The Juggernaut, and I think that Joe gives me a tougher fight than Usyk. 100%
Big Joe. 6 foot 7 and 19 and a half stone like a juggernaut coming forward at me. Trying to smash me to pieces. Or USyk tying to steal a jab running round the ring. Trying to make a point here and there.
So, I think that Usyk’s a very good fighter. I’m not going to take anything away from him. He’s the undisputed cruiserweight champion and he’s the unified heavyweight champion, so he’s had a fantastic career. But I think that I do a job on him … and I don’t just want to talk it, I want to prove it, so let’s get that one on.”
Fury continued to praise Joyce, telling the media that he was very impressed by where he’s been and where he’s come from.
If the Usyk fight is indeed next, and Fury comes through it as he expects to, it looks more and more likely that ‘The Juggernaut’ will be first in line for a shot at the throne.