Promoter Frank Warren has issued a warning to Anthony Joshua that if he loses his upcoming warm-up bout in July, the highly-anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury will be all but over.
The long-awaited fight between two of boxing’s biggest stars has been months in the making, with both men holding out for a date and time that suits their schedules. However, with the July warm-up bout fast approaching, it seems that Warren is already preparing for the worst-case scenario.
“We’re looking at the July fight as Anthony’s last chance to get some big fights under his belt,” said Warren in an exclusive interview. “If he loses that one, I think you can rule out the Fury fight straight away.”
Warren believes that Joshua has been struggling to find form and consistency throughout his career, and that a defeat in the warm-up bout could be a turning point for him.
“Anthony’s got some great skills, but he’s also got some big flaws,” said Warren. “If he can’t get past his own demons and sort out his game plan, I think he’ll struggle to compete with the likes of Fury.”
Fury, on the other hand, has been in relatively good form of late, with a string of impressive victories under his belt. However, Warren believes that Joshua’s size and reach advantage could prove decisive if he can get past any early-round wobbles.
“Tyson’s got some great qualities, but if Anthony can get inside him and use his jab to control the pace, I think he’ll be in trouble,” said Warren.
Despite the warning from Warren, both men remain confident that they will emerge victorious on July 1st. Joshua has been training hard ahead of the bout, which will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
“I’m feeling great, I’m feeling focused and ready to go,” said Joshua in a statement earlier this week. “I know what’s at stake here, and I’m determined to come out on top.”
Fury, meanwhile, has been taking a more relaxed approach to training ahead of the warm-up bout.
“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself,” said Fury. “I just want to get through this one and then we can talk about the Fury fight again.”
However, it seems that Warren’s warning has given Joshua some food for thought. If he loses the warm-up bout, it could be a major blow to his chances of facing Fury in the future.
As the countdown to the July 1st bout begins, boxing fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see how both men perform under pressure. One thing is certain – only one man will emerge victorious on that day.
Stay informed with headlines.com