Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are both in promotion mode ahead of their potential heavyweight showdown, and Barry McGuigan believes Joshua's style gives him the edge. Writing in his latest column, McGuigan dissects the upcoming warm-up fights and the long-awaited clash.
Warm-up fights with little risk
Fury faces Mariusz Wach in Thailand, a 46-year-old who failed to make the bell in the second round of his last fight against Moses Itauma. Joshua takes on lightly-regarded Albanian Kristian Prenga a day later in Saudi Arabia. Prenga has 20 knockouts in 21 fights, but all against journeymen, and one opponent avenged a loss against him. McGuigan notes these bouts are more about promotion than competition.
Building anticipation for the autumn showdown
The fights are designed to stoke anticipation for a clash long overdue, likely at Wembley in the autumn. McGuigan says the power of the American market dictates an early hours start in London to maximise the broadcast audience. He acknowledges both fighters are past their elite prime but remain box-office characters. “When they walk in a room they turn heads,” he writes.
Why McGuigan favours Joshua
McGuigan points out that Fury has lost some confidence, while Joshua can still punch hard. “That is why he has the edge for me,” he states. He notes that Joshua has been working with Oleksandr Usyk, who has beaten both men, showing a desire to improve. “Styles make fights and I still fancy Joshua,” McGuigan adds.
Joshua was stopped by Daniel Dubois and suffered the tragic loss of two friends in a Nigeria car crash. Fury is not a destructive puncher like Dubois, nor does he pulverise like Joshua can. McGuigan believes Fury will want to box and prove his superiority, but Joshua cannot win by standing off. “So Joshua will go looking for the stoppage, which is why we’ll all be watching,” he concludes.
