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Why Unified Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua Won't Fight Returning Boxing Legend Mike Tyson

Why Unified Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua Won't Fight Returning Boxing Legend Mike Tyson

Joshua won't be fighting the boxing legend.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Anthony Joshua has ruled out fighting boxing legend Mike Tyson as he fears fans would boo him if he won.

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson is set to make a sensational boxing comeback at the age of 53.

He's in great physique as he trains for a return to the ring, but current unified world heavyweight champion Joshua won't be facing off against the American icon.

When asked if he'd step in the ring with Tyson, 'AJ' replied: "With all due respect I wouldn't. Even if I fought Iron Mike and beat him, I think I'd be the only one cheering. People would boo. He is a legend. He is the greatest boxer of the modern era.

"There are only two recognised champions the world knows of, Ali and Mike Tyson - the most recognised faces in the world when it comes to boxing."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Joshua added: "Mike Tyson is the embodiment of the killing machine, he hits the pads for 15 seconds and the whole world goes crazy... would you be shocked if Beckham came back? You would. But for boxers it's all they know.

"I see it like this - how old is David Beckham, 44, 45?

"If you see him in ten years kicking a ball, doing 100 kick ups, a round-the-world and hitting the crossbar and then an overhead volley into the top corner, people would love it.

"But because Mike Tyson is the embodiment of like, the killing machine, he hits the pads for 15 seconds and the whole world goes crazy, it is normal.

"It is what Tyson knows. But for him to fight... would you be shocked if Beckham came back? You would. But for boxers it's all they know."

'Iron' Mike has been linked with bouts against former foe Evander Holyfield and even WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Joshua, meanwhile, is set to defend his world titles against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in 2020.

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Topics: Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, Boxing News, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Fight News