Former two time champion Anthony Joshua is backing Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Tyson Fury on February 17 - when the two unbeaten champions collide in an undisputed showdown for the WBO, IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC world titles.

Joshua faced Usyk on two occasions, with the Ukrainian boxer coming out on top with back to back decision wins. 

Fury was widely viewed as a solid favorite, but his recent performance changed some perceptions of the fight.

Back in October, Fury returned to the ring for a crossover boxing match with former UFC world champion Francis Ngannou, who was making his pro boxing debut.

While many expected a complete mismatch, it was highly competitive.

Fury was dropped in the third round and had issues with Ngannou's style. In the end, Fury was able to come away with a razor-close ten round split decision victory.

Usyk saw action back in August, when he knocked out mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois. 

Both Fury and Usyk have been inactive in the last few years. 

Usyk has averaged one fight per year since 2019. For his part, Fury has been in the ring seven times since 2019, but only a single fight in 2023. He managed to bank two fights in 2022, but only had a single fight in 2021 and 2020.

"I really want to be here for that fight. You've probably heard it a few times, but I think Usyk is a phenomenal fighter and he's got a great team around him. You're only as good as your team, and he's got a really good team. Having been in the ring with him and studying him, I think he's the one to edge it probably because of my experiences of his ring craft and I think it's top tier," Joshua said to IFL TV.