Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has warned that whoever loses the eagerly anticipated domestic heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will face a harsh reality that could prove difficult to overcome, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The all-British bout, a decade in the making, is set to finally take place in November after promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that contracts have been signed by both fighters, though a venue and exact date are yet to be finalised.
Wembley Stadium remains among the options being considered, alongside a possible staging in the United States, with organiser Turki Al-Sheikh keen on a time slot that suits a global audience.
Brent Council, the local authority that would oversee any approval, has said extending Wembley’s 11pm curfew to allow a two o’clock ring walk would need to be assessed by the stadium’s safety advisory group.
“Whoever loses between Joshua and Fury, it will be really hard for them to take. The loser faces a harsh reality,” Bellew told Sky Sports.
“If we are honest, both are slightly past their best, but it is not going to stop anyone from tuning in because we all need to see this happen. This fight has been dodged for far too long.”
Bellew insisted the bout must be staged on British soil given its significance, saying, “It’s the biggest fight in British boxing history. “It’s got to happen here, it’s vital. It’s the right thing to do for everybody involved.
“If it goes abroad, so be it, whoever is paying for it has the right to do what they want with it and put it wherever they see fit.”
Both men have since completed must-win warm-up assignments.
Joshua overcame a scare in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he was floored twice inside the opening twenty seconds by previously unbeaten Albanian Kristian Prenga, before recovering to stop his opponent in the second round, improving his record to 30 wins from 34 fights.
The 36-year-old dedicated the victory to the memory of two close friends and members of his team, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who were killed in a car crash in Nigeria in December.
“It is more than punch power. That was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina, that was the families. It hurts to even talk about it. It has been tough. They are my brothers,” Joshua said in the ring.
Fury faced considerably less drama in Thailand, easing to a seventh-round stoppage of forty-six-year-old Polish veteran Mariusz Wach in an untelevised contest, having previously beaten Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.
Boxing legend Mike Tyson has since waded into the debate, telling Ring Magazine he will always side with Fury regardless of what either man produces in the ring.
“If Tyson comes in right and avoids those punches, it’s going to be interesting. Joshua’s a fast puncher. I love Tyson Fury. That’s why I can never go against him,” Tyson said.
