“AJ’s a man and he’s not”
John Fury has compared Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder’s reaction to respective losses, claiming that Wilder “couldn’t carry AJ’s jockstrap”.
Anthony Joshua suffered his second loss in four bouts when he was beaten on points by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk last month. Similarly, Wilder lost his last fight against Tyson Fury in February 2020 after The Gypsy King secured victory via TKO.
Despite both fighters losing in their most recent respective bout, the reaction to defeat couldn’t have been more different for the pair.
Following his loss against Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ‘AJ’ was humble in defeat – acknowledging that he had simply been beaten by a better man.
Joshua wrote on social media: “I’ve watched the fight, analysed my preparations & identified my mistakes. I’ve learnt my lesson.
“Thanks for sending love and checking in. Don’t worry about me. My spirit is strong!”
In contrast, after being beaten by Fury in Las Vegas last year, Wilder blamed his walk-out gear for causing him to suffer his first professional loss.
Considering this, John Fury – who was speaking exclusively to JOE ahead of son Tyson’s trilogy bout against Wilder – believes that Joshua and Wilder’s respective reactions to suffering defeat shows a difference in character.
“Deontay Wilder, as a man, couldn’t carry AJ’s [Anthony Joshua] jockstrap – and I mean that from the bottom of my heart,” he stated. “AJ’s a man and he’s not.”
“Winning a fight and losing a fight, you’ve got to be a good man to get in there and participate.”
The 57-year-old was also keen to praise Joshua following his bout against Usyk, suggesting that he simply lost to a ‘brilliant fighter’.
Fury said: “He’s [Joshua] had the world titles and let’s not undermine [Oleksandr] Usyk, Usyk’s brilliant.
“He’s lost to a brilliant fighter, he’s not lost to a Joe Bloggs whose been in the right place at the wrong time and he’s had a bad night.
“He’s lost to a brilliant fighter in Oleksandr Usyk, he is a brilliant fighter in every avenue.”
Following the Ukrainian’s triumph over the Brit, John was asked about a potential fight between Tyson and Usyk – with the Irishman keeping his cards close to his chest.
“To be continued, I say – for another conversation, that one,” Fury said. “My son is a country mile in front of every heavyweight out there today, do I need to say anymore?”
“I’m not saying it because I’m his son and I love him and all that, but the proof in the pudding is eating it and Tyson’s proved it time and time again where he’s at in the heavyweight division.
“Time will only tell, but yes will it be a great fight? Will it be a great spectacle? Of course it will.”
Following AJ’s defeat, and consequent loss of belts, it remains to be seen whether or not it will have an impact on the highly-anticipated bout between himself and Fury.
However, John has admitted that he is still hopeful that the all-British bout will happen in the future.
“Will he fight AJ? I hope so somewhere along the line,” he said.
Related links:
- Tyson Fury ‘wounded’ by Anthony Joshua’s loss to Oleksandr Usyk
- Tyson Fury cuts himself off from wife and kids ahead of Deontay Wilder trilogy
- Andy Ruiz claims Anthony Joshua was ‘scared’ against Oleksandr Usyk
