sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Anthony Joshua Is 'Like Mike Tyson' According To Tony Bellew

Anthony Joshua Is 'Like Mike Tyson' According To Tony Bellew

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are set to meet sometime this year for the undisputed heavyweight world title.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

'Anthony Joshua is the only man who could beat Tyson Fury' but is also not as good a boxer as his rival, according to former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew.

The world of boxing was put on high alert on Monday afternoon when it was announced by Eddie Hearn that Joshua and Fury had both agreed terms and signed contracts for two fights.

It is the latest in many steps for the two British heavyweights to face off to become the first undisputed champion at the weight since Lennox Lewis in 2000, with only a venue to be confirmed.

The undefeated Fury is favourite to take home all four belts but Bellew believes that if anyone can beat the Gypsy King it's AJ.

"I believe he is the only guy who has the tools to beat Tyson Fury," the 38-year-old former boxer told talkSPORT.

"He's the man who can get close enough, he's the man who throws punches that are fast enough to land, he hits hard enough to drop him and hurt him.

"Nobody else in the world has the skillset that Anthony Joshua has. Nobody is technically at the same level as Anthony Joshua.

Bellew is backing Joshua. Image: PA Images
Bellew is backing Joshua. Image: PA Images

"I'm not saying he's better than Tyson Fury - Tyson Fury is a better boxer than Anthony Joshua, but Anthony Joshua moves quicker than Tyson Fury.

"Anthony Joshua's explosive power is bigger than Tyson Fury's, Anthony Joshua's combination punching is quicker than Tyson Fury's.

"Tyson Fury is quicker with one punch, with the speed of the jab and the speed of the feet, but he is not faster with the combinations.

"I do think it's got to happen inside the first six rounds for Anthony Joshua If it doesn't, I don't think he beats him.

"Tyson Fury is very, very hard to work out, but I still stand by Anthony Joshua.

"I just think he will jump on him, he won't care what's coming back, and that's the only way to beat Tyson Fury."

Fury's last fight came against Deontay Wilder in February 2020. Image: PA Images
Fury's last fight came against Deontay Wilder in February 2020. Image: PA Images

Bellew also explained that Joshua had the ability to make the heavyweight division the biggest thing in sport, like it was when 'Iron Mike' was at the top of the division, "Anthony Joshua is I think on par with Canelo as the face of our sport.

"There's not a bigger name in the sport than Anthony Joshua right now. He's crossed over boundaries, he's now a face amongst the big sporting names.

"This guy could draw in a 100,000 crowd. He's phenomenal and Tyson Fury is the king of comebacks.

"...The most recognisable face in the history of sport has to be Muhammad Ali, that's a boxer.

"These guys now have the opportunity to take boxing back to that magnitude, back to that level. Because it hasn't been taken there since Mike Tyson.

"Mike Tyson is the last polarising figure that really set the world alight with the marketing and everyone wanted a piece of him.

"Anthony Joshua's getting to that level of what Mike Tyson was, and Tyson Fury is slowly catching up behind him.

"Make no mistake, these guys are mega stars. This is the biggest fight this country has ever seen and I'm so, so happy it's happening"

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Tony Bellew, Heavyweight