Joshua, 26, was combating for the third time since being crushed by Usyk 18 months in the past on the Red Sea. That bout, which led to a split-decision victory for the Ukrainian, was a rematch of their first combat a yr earlier, which Joshua misplaced through unanimous determination.

Despite negotiations beforehand happening a number of instances for a 'Battle of Britain' combat between Fury and Joshua over latest years, the 2 have but to come back near agreeing a combat. However, they've infamously been within the ring collectively earlier than at Finchley ABC manner again in 2010, whereas Joshua was nonetheless an beginner.

Fury and Joshua have supplied contrasting variations of occasions about what occurred throughout their sparring session. But regardless, after being within the ring with each throughout his boxing profession, Joshua is aware of higher than most what the game's high two heavyweights convey to a combat.

Follow us on X for the perfect and newest in sports activities news

Asked in regards to the upcoming undisputed championship bout, Joshua couldn't disguise how eager he's to be in Saudi to see them matchup from ringside. "I really want to be there for that fight," he advised Boxing Social.

“I’ve fought Usyk. I think he’s a phenomenal fighter, and I think he has a great team around him, and you’re only as good as your team.

"After being in the ring with him and studying him - still studying him now - I think that he’s the one to edge it." Explaining further, Joshua added: "Probably because I've experienced his ring generalship and ring craft on two occasions, and I think he’s top-tier."

Fury, for one, is not predicting it will be such a close contest. "Usyk, get ready," Fury said in a video message shown to Usyk last year. "I'll smash you into pieces, sucker, four rounds."

Despite the provocation, Usyk has not got into predicting how the fight will go. Instead, in response to the clip, he responded at the WBC convention: "I love my opponent Tyson Fury. He's a great guy, I love Tyson."

Usyk then added: "Hey Tyson, where are you?" Both will be together again before long, with training camps underway before the blockbuster bout.

Whoever triumphs will become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. And Lewis is picking Fury to succeed him by taking on that title.

“Usyk cannot be taken lightly,” Lewis advised JOE final yr. "I think it'll be a great fight, because he’s up against a different man. He’s not up against a 6 foot 7 guy; he’s up against a 6 foot 9 guy that boxes orthodox and southpaw and moves very well about the ring.”

“I always say a good small guy always beats a good big guy, so there you have it.”