The countdown to that potential Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua superfight is well and truly on, and everybody has an opinion or form of analysis – including British ring greats Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Amir Khan.
The trio have all aired their views via DAZN ahead of the bout which is currently slated for late May or early June, outside the UK.
Fury and Joshua are likely to earn close to $100million each for the biggest fight in British boxing history.
The build-up promises to be every bit as special as fight night itself, and debate is already raging about who will come out on top.
Ricky, Joe and Amir – greats making their picks
When Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Amir Khan speak, we should all listen – they are three British greats of the modern era:
- Hatton claimed world titles at both light-welterweight and welterweight in a glittering career.
- Calzaghe retired unbeaten after an astonishing pro career in which he dominated at super-middleweight.
- Khan is another former world champion with sensation skills, and still hoping for big days in the future.
Here is what they had to say about Fury vs Joshua:
Ricky Hatton on Fury vs Joshua
“I think the potential AJ/Fury fight is absolutely massive. If I was just a boxing fan, when you look through boxing history and British heavyweight history, we never used to have a British heavyweight you even knew a few years back. Now we have the two best elite heavyweights in the division and they’ve both got a great contrast of characters and a great contrast of styles. This is a fight that absolutely must happen.
“To have these two guys at the top of the sport, it’s gotta be the best era in British heavyweight history. For this fight not to happen, it would be a crying shame for British boxing. A crying shame for sport in this country. That’s how I feel about the whole situation.
“My prediction for AJ and Fury. Tyson’s my friend, he’s trained in this very very gym with me. I’ve seen him in action, I’ve seen what he’s capable of. I think you’ve all seen it first hand, what he did to Wilder in the last fight. He was the bully, he’s normally the slick boxer – switching and picking people off. He got really nasty in that last fight with Wilder. Tyson ticks every box.
“AJ, what a ferocious finisher, sometimes Tyson’s been on the floor. If AJ gets him on the floor, AJ might keep him there. It’s a massive, massive, massive fight, could go either way, but I’ve got to go with Fury.”
Joe Calzaghe on Fury vs Joshua
“How exciting is it to have the two top heavyweights? Fury and Joshua – it’s unbelievable. Who’d have thought it. Twenty years ago the division was dictated in the States, now the two best heavyweights are British. It has to be made.
If Joshua and Fury were to fight but honestly I’d probably fancy Fury because he has more dimensions. I’m not calling Joshua one-dimensional, but what I’m saying is, with Fury he can mix it up, he can go forwards, he can go backwards, he can fight, he can box. He’s extremely fast for such a big guy and speed kills.
“Two heavyweights hitting each other on the chin. Joshua’s a top fighter but if I had to pick one, I’d pick Fury.”
Amir Khan on Fury vs Joshua
“He’s (Joshua) got what it takes to become that world champion and the best fighter in the world, as long as he stays focused and sticks to his game. There’s a lot of big names still out there in the heavyweight division and the heavyweight division is the most renowned division in the world. He’s proved himself but I still think he’s got a lot to do yet, and to prove he’s the number one in the world.
“You’ve got the likes of Fury, the likes of Wilder, so many great fighters out there. So it’s gonna be a tough couple of years for AJ to prove that he’s the best out there.
Can AJ beat Tyson Fury? I don’t think so. Tyson Fury in my opinion is the best heavyweight out there. I think with the ring generalship and movement he has and the IQ he has, I don’t think anyone’s touching him. I think he has everything it takes to beat AJ.”
