Tyson Fury has written off any chance of a competitive clash between Anthony Joshua and rising star Moses Itauma. The former heavyweight champion believes Joshua is past his prime while Itauma is rapidly rising to claim a world title.
Tyson Fury is calling it like he sees it. The former heavyweight king believes Anthony Joshua is washed, and he sees young phenom Moses Itauma smashing his way to the top of the division. Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Fury claimed a showdown between the two Brits makes zero sense right now. He compared the prospective matchup to Julio Cesar Chavez taking on Oscar De La Hoya late in his career.
Fury said: “One man’s past his best. So, you know, one man’s on the rise. If one man’s on the edge and one man’s on the rise, then it’s not really a fight. It was a bit like when Chavez fought De La Hoya: one man was at the end of his career, one man was on the rise of his career. So yeah, it’s not a fight that will ever happen,”
Joshua returns this Saturday to face Kristian Prenga in Jeddah. But all eyes in the division are glued to Itauma’s massive showdown against Filip Hrgovic on August 29. It is an absolute trial by fire for the youngster.
Fury believes the Hrgovic clash will prove whether Itauma truly belongs in elite company.
Fury stated: “I think it’s a tough fight, especially for a young lad. I don’t know how old he is now, 21 or 22 or something like that. Acid test. He hasn’t really had a test before. This is his first acid test really. If he comes through this, then I think he’s definitely going to win the world championship,”
The Gypsy King even wants the sanctioning bodies to step up and make the August battle a world title match. Hrgovic brings serious pedigree, having traded blows with top heavyweights for years.
Fury added: “This should be a championship of the world. Like the IBF should put their belt on the line for Moses versus Hrgovic because they’re two highly rated IBF title contenders. Hrgovic is big, tall, Olympic pedigree, hundreds of amateur fights, and he’s been in there with some of the best heavyweights in the world. He’s not like 40 years old. The man’s 33 or 34, so he’s in his prime. He’s had a small amount of fights. He’s a tough game man. So it’s definitely a good acid test for Moses, a potential banana skin for sure.”
If Itauma passes the ultimate test against Hrgovic next month, he becomes the new kingpin in waiting. Joshua might still be fighting, but Fury insists the torch is already passing.
