As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua offered his services as a sparring partner to Tyson Fury, who is preparing for his upcoming rematch with Deontay Wilder.
Fury will challenger Wilder for the vacant WBC heavyweight title on February 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. They fought to a controversial twelve round split draw in December 2018.
“Fury’s a world-class fighter, and I’m a world-class fighter that’s still trying to improve so that I can become an elite-level fighter,” Joshua said to IFL TV. “Sparring Fury’s only gonna do me good, in my opinion. I’m never too big for my boots where I can’t learn anymore. So that opportunity for me to spar Fury is for my own benefit as well.”
One of the main reasons Joshua is backing Fury in the bout - is because he believes a unification deal would be easier to make with him.
If Joshua had to side with one boxer, he would select Fury to win the second bout.
“The reason why I thought about it and why it came to fruition for me is because I feel like if Fury was to win that fight [against Wilder] I think he’d be more inclined to fight me next and quicker, than Wilder would," Joshua said.
“How long I’ve been waiting to fight for the championship belt, I think if Fury had it, me and him would have got a deal done. That’s why I was rooting for Fury to win because I just want to fight and collect my last belt. If I was betting man, I think Fury wins."