Tyson Fury has claimed his fight with Oleksandr Usyk is ‘real boxing’ in a put down to Anthony Joshua despite struggling to beat Francis Ngannou last October.
Fury was ringside in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday night to watch Joshua knockout the former UFC champion within two rounds.
Joshua’s impressive showing came just months after Fury had previously beaten Ngannou but only after being pushed the distance by the Cameroonian and floored in the process against the boxing newbie.
However, the Gypsy King was quick to brush off Joshua’s win to claim ‘real boxing’ will take in May when he goes head-to-head with Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship.
He said via talkSPORT’s Michael Benson: ‘Me and Oleksandr Usyk have got an undisputed heavyweight world title fight coming up, and he’s just had a show fight – which is fantastic for the show, but for the actual real boxing it’s me and Usyk who fight for the #1 position and undisputed.’
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Tyson Fury has claimed his fight with Usyk is ‘real boxing’ in a put down to Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua saw off Francis Ngannou in just two rounds with an explosive knockout
In Friday’s fight, Joshua looked comfortable from the opening bell, with the pair cautiously exchanging jabs in the early going.
Ngannou had enjoyed success in both stances against Fury in October but was promptly punished for switching southpaw as Joshua floored him with a straight right.
The 37-year-old recovered to reach the second round but any attempt to ease his way back into the action would swiftly be stifled as AJ again send him crashing to the canvas.
This time it was clear Ngannou was dazed and immediately after rising to his feet Joshua landed an inch-perfect right hand that left him crashing back down.
Commenting on Joshua’s victory, Fury told DAZN: ‘I’m sure Oleksandr Usyk will have something to say something about that.
Joshua’s win came just months after Fury had struggled against the same opponent
‘I had a s*** performance against Ngannou. AJ did absolutely fantastic and lit him up with a right hand.
Fury continued to explain that he needs to beat Usyk twice before fighting Joshua, adding: ‘If he fights me after I beat Usyk twice then it will be a different game.’
Meanwhile, promoter Eddie Hearn Eddie Hearn begged Fury to beat Usyk to make the ‘biggest fight in the history of the sport’
