Fury calls Joshua a route to another Usyk fight

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has described Anthony Joshua as a “stepping stone” on the way to a possible rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. Fury made the comments in his first public remarks since his fight with Joshua was confirmed. The two British heavyweights are scheduled to meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11.

Speaking on the Furocity YouTube channel, Fury predicted that he would stop Joshua inside seven rounds. He said he expected to control the contest and knock out his fellow former champion. “I’m just going to knock him out, one hundred per cent,” Fury said.

“I’m going to box the head off him and stop him inside six or seven rounds.” Fury said his principal objective remained securing another opportunity against Usyk, who defeated him twice in 2024. He described the Joshua fight as preparation for a further meeting with the Ukrainian. “I’m only using Joshua as a stepping stone, a warm-up to Usyk,” Fury said.

The former champion also questioned Joshua’s physical condition, criticising what he characterised as a lack of speed and stamina. Fury used dismissive language to describe Joshua and said he believed he could dominate the bout. The December contest will bring together two of Britain’s leading heavyweight names.

Both fighters will be seeking a significant victory when they meet in Cardiff, while Fury is presenting the bout as part of a longer route back towards Usyk. Fury’s comments were predictions rather than a report of the fight’s outcome. The scheduled meeting will determine whether Joshua can overturn the expectations set by his opponent and whether Fury moves closer to another bout with Usyk.