Mike Tyson has officially backed Tyson Fury to beat Anthony Joshua when the two British heavyweights finally meet in the ring next month. The legendary former champion, speaking to The Ring, said he would never go against Fury because of their shared first name.
The all-British clash is set for Friday, December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, with more than 70,000 fans expected. Fury enters the contest after forcing Polish veteran Mariusz Wach to quit on his stool in July, while Joshua was dropped twice in the opening round of his last fight before stopping Kristian Prenga.
Tyson explains his loyalty to Fury
The 60-year-old Tyson said: "I don't know, it's because... if Tyson comes in right and avoids those punches, it's going to be interesting. Joshua is a fast puncher. We'll see. I love Tyson, though. I can't go against him because of that alone [sharing the same name]. I would never go against him. I do not care who it is."
Fury is expected to enter the ring as a heavy favourite, a view that aligns with Tyson's prediction.
Injury speculation and advice for Joshua
However, Tyson may be forced to reconsider his prediction after former rival Frank Bruno suggested Fury could be carrying an injury. Speaking on Fight Your Corner, in partnership with Midnite, Bruno said: "I looked at him the other day and I think someone was talking to me in the gym that he's got some injury, which may stop him from going into the fight with Anthony Joshua? And having that on your head ain't nice."
Meanwhile, former world champion George Groves has urged Joshua to bring Tyson into his camp to help devise a plan to beat Fury. Groves told Grosvenor Sport: "I think Anthony Joshua should bring Mike Tyson in to come up with the plan to beat Tyson Fury. What Joshua could also do is have a bit more of a Mike Tyson-esque style."
Groves added: "Joshua could be a little bit more peekaboo, crouching, slipping, sliding, dipping, momentum going forward, bringing those big hooks and uppercuts off those dips, legs loaded. That would be the key to success because even though Joshua is a big, tall man, he gives away a bit of height against Tyson Fury. Getting some advice from a man who carved out a fantastic career always being on the shorter side of things makes perfect sense to me."
