“AJ will be my easiest fight.” We also have a potential date.
Tyson Fury has given an update about his current level of fitness ahead of his eagerly anticipated return to the ring.
Speaking with RTĖ Sport‘s Game On, Fury said that his fitness levels are “coming along good” despite the fact that he hasn’t had a professional fight in the two years.
“Fitness is coming along good. Training well and trying to get the weight down. That’s the most important part, getting the weight down before I make the big return. I’ve done it all my life, I’ve had 25 fights and for about 23 of them, I’ve had to lose about 5 stone so it’s normal for me.” I’m a 28-year-old and it’s only a short period of time in which I get the weight off. I do the weight in about eight to ten weeks, that’s the weight gone and I can concentrate on the boxing side of things. (Losing weight) It’s not really an issue for me to be honest. If you can put the work in, then the weight will come off, it’s more of a will to do it,” he said.
When asked to give his assessment of the Joshua vs Klitschko fight, Fury said that he was happy to see AJ win and that he still holds Klitschko in the highest regard.
“It was an entertaining fight – he (Joshua) almost cost me a fortune! – by nearly getting knocked out by an old man. I’m happy to see that AJ knocked him out. though. Klitschko nearly had two years out of the ring, he’s 42-years-old and he still went in and nearly punched Joshua’s head right in. I had Klitschko leading until the knockout. Age catches up with everyone but he still gave a good account of himself. Klitschk ‘s a legend in the sport.”
After being forced to vacate his titles and then battle depression, it’s clear that Fury’s passion for boxing has been reignited by a potential fight against Joshua. This being said, Fury believes that he already knows how to beat Joshua.
“When Klitschko fought me, he couldn’t hit me at all. He kept throwing those big punches but I wasn’t there to hit. That’s the blueprint to beat Klitschko. AJ can’t do what I can do though, he’s a power puncher and his feet are stuck in the mud – they’re like concrete blocks. He doesn’t have movement, he’s all about strength and power. Styles make fights. But if I could design an opponent to fight, it would be Anthony Joshua – a big weightlifter who’s looking for one punch – he’s a boxers dream,” said Fury.
Fury elaborates on the best way to beat Joshua: “You don’t need to make AJ run out of gas by making him throw 4 million punches. AJ will run out of gas after 4/5 rounds. I guarantee that I would box his face off. AJ will be my easiest fight because when you have one man looking for a knockout (AJ) and the other man boxing his face-off and getting ahead on points (Fury) – and that knockout rarely ever comes when you’re looking for it – the rest is easy.”
To conclude, Fury provided an update on his immediate future and any potential fight against Joshua.
“I’ve no idea what the next step is. The next big fight will probably be the rematch between Joshua-Klitschko and I’ll take the winner. Fingers crossed that AJ beats Wladimir and that we can get the fight that we want.
When asked to give a time frame and a potential venue, Fury teased next March and a Dublin date – no doubt playing to the local broadcaster.
“Anytime this year really, it depends because I read a thing that says they only let AJ fight twice a year – so if he fights Klitschko again, that’ll be his two fights this year. We may be looking at next year, like a March date. Maybe a St Patrick’s Day fight at Croke Park (Dublin)? Never mind Wembley!”
Here’s the interview in full (Five minute mark for Joshua segment)
