Tony Bellew has changed his mind about who would win if Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua fought. The former cruiserweight world champion now thinks Fury would come out on top.
Bellew used to believe Joshua would knock out Fury. He explained his reasoning:
"I've always said it and I'll stick by it. I think Anthony Joshua will be forced to let his hands go and he'll knock out Tyson Fury. Do I think he's the better fighter? No. But not always the better fighter wins. I've been in fights myself where I've beat fighters better than me, like David Haye. I beat him twice but he's a better fighter than me. Styles make fight."
But in a recent interview, Bellew changed his tune:
"Wow, that's a good question. On paper, now you'd have to say Tyson Fury."
Bellew's change of heart comes after both fighters lost to Oleksandr Usyk. Fury, known as 'The Gypsy King', lost twice to Usyk in 2024. He announced his retirement in January 2025 but is now hinting at a comeback.
Joshua, nicknamed 'AJ', also lost twice to Usyk in 2021 and 2022. His most recent fight ended in a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Joshua is now recovering from minor elbow surgery and plans to return to the ring before the end of 2025.
The potential fight between Fury and Joshua has been talked about for years. It would be one of the biggest matches in world and British boxing. The two have had parallel careers but have never faced each other in the ring.
Fury is currently calling out Usyk for a third fight in April 2026. Meanwhile, Joshua is focusing on his recovery and comeback.
Many boxing fans and experts still hope to see Fury and Joshua square off, despite their recent setbacks. The fight would settle once and for all who is the better British heavyweight of their generation.
