Anthony Joshua makes Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk prediction as he offers explainer

Anthony Joshua has revealed that he is backing Oleksandr Usyk to triumph over Tyson Fury in their upcoming bout next month.

The highly anticipated fight, which will be the first undisputed heavyweight world title showdown of the four-belt era, is set to take place on May 18 in Saudi Arabia. Originally scheduled for February 17, the match was postponed by a month due to an injury Fury sustained during training. Joshua, who has his sights set on a future fight with the winner, shared his thoughts with talkSPORT's Jon Jackson at the Formula E Monaco E-Prix.

He said: "Well look I've fought Oleksandr Usyk so I can only speak on what I have experienced from him. Phenomenal fighter, does everything to a tee and I would say he is going to do a really good job. I have never fought Tyson Fury so I can't really speak on how he will perform or what it is like to face him so only speaking on what I know I would have to say Oleksandr Usyk will be victorious."

Joshua has faced Usyk twice before, losing both times. Their first encounter in September 2021 saw Joshua outmatched by Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, in their rematch 11 months later, Joshua demonstrated significant improvement, even earning the approval of one of the three judges, despite the general consensus being that he lost the fight by two to four rounds.

Fury and Joshua have been in talks to face each other on several occasions to no avail. Yet it appears boxing fans are likely to see the fight sooner rather than later due to Saudi Arabia's involvement.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, recently named Fury vs Joshua among the top three fights he hopes to make in the future alongside Terence