British heavyweight icon Frank Bruno once faced Lennox Lewis in the historic “Battle of Britain” in Cardiff back in 1993. Next month, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are set to meet in what could be the biggest all-British showdown ever staged in the Welsh capital, and Bruno has revised his forecast for the bout.
Both Fury and Joshua are two-time heavyweight world champions, but when they step into the ring, only one will emerge to become boxing’s fifth three-time heavyweight king. The WBA (Super) heavyweight world title will be on the line, along with significant bragging rights.
When the fight was first rumored earlier this year, Bruno questioned how much Fury had left at 37, suggesting that age might finally be catching up with “The Gypsy King.”
However, after seeing Joshua’s surprising performance against Kristian Prenga, Bruno admitted he no longer envisions an “AJ” victory.
“If AJ can get there first he will do a number [on Fury], but I can’t see it because Tyson Fury is a very tricky customer, he can fight and once he fancies something, he is a dangerous guy.
“[Joshua] has got to rely on it [his power], but how many times has Tyson been on the floor and how many times has he got up?
“Deontay Wilder was an animal and he had him under control, Tyson Fury. I have always rated Tyson Fury, he has got a lot more skill than a lot of people give him credit for and he has got a lot of bottle.”
With just five weeks remaining until the blockbuster event, Bruno told the Fight Your Corner podcast that Joshua still has a “puncher’s chance.”
“He is a very, very good guy, Anthony Joshua. He has got a puncher’s chance against Fury, but Fury is a very difficult guy, he is a very physical guy.”
Fury versus Joshua is scheduled for Friday, December 11, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Deontay Wilder and Jai Opetaia are set to headline the undercard, with the event streaming live on Netflix.