David Haye makes worrying claim ahead of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua

Former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion David Haye has shared his honest prediction for the proposed bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, while also making a worrying claim about the ‘Gypsy King’.

Joshua and Fury are set to finally meet in late 2026, with promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren claiming contracts have been signed, despite no location or exact date being confirmed.

Before potentially facing Fury, Joshua — who has not fought since defeating Jake Paul last December, just days before he was involved in a fatal car accident, which claimed the lives of his two friends in Latif "Latz" Ayodele and Sina Ghami — will take on little-known Albanian Kristian Pregna on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Warren has suggested Fury will likely take part in a tune-up fight, having returned with a unanimous decision victory over Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, while AJ watched from ringside.

Haye makes Fury vs Joshua claim

And while there’s no doubt both men are past their prime, Fury vs Joshua would likely still sell out most stadiums in the UK.

But who comes out on top?

According to former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion Haye, he believes Fury’s lifestyle may finally catch up with the ‘Gypsy King’.

Speaking to Tris Dixon, Haye said: “Is ‘AJ’ gonna dominate him? Is Tyson Fury gonna outbox him? Is the lifestyle of Tyson Fury gonna finally catch up with him?

“The fact that [Joshua] treats his body like a temple, the fact that he looks after what he eats – he doesn’t take any drugs; he doesn’t drink – is that gonna come to pass?

“Maybe it’s going to be [about] who’s lived the best. I’d definitely say Tyson Fury has more boxing skill than Anthony Joshua – I’ve never seen ‘AJ’ stand against the ropes, slip and slide punches like I’ve seen Tyson Fury do. But maybe he might not need to.

“Who can fight at a pace? Who can put their punches together?”

Fury currently boasts a record of 35-1-2, with both of his defeats coming at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua has won 29 of his 33 bouts in the paid ranks, with his four defeats coming against Usyk (x2), Daniel Dubois and Andy Ruiz Jr.