British boxing legend Frank Bruno believes that two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has luck on his side.
‘AJ’ might disagree. Ever since turning professional he has had the spotlight on him and has often had detractors who claim he has had everything put on a plate for him.
It’s fair to say his first world title came against a less than elite level opponent in Charles Martin but since then he has fought all comers, from long-reining champion Wladimir Klitschko to solid contenders such as Kubrat Pulev, Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin and many more.
He infamously came unstuck for the first time against late stand-in Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 before avenging the loss in December of the same year. He wasn’t afraid to put his unified status on the line against Oleksandr Usyk. Despite losing the first fight, he went straight into a rematch and lost again.
Now he has rebuilt and is on the verge of becoming a three-time world champion should he get past Daniel Dubois for the IBF belt in September.
Speaking to DAZN, Bruno, who became heavyweight champion at the fourth time of asking, was asked about Joshua’s career so far.
“Very lucky man.
Better than a lot of people give him credit for. Can punch like a mule. But I don’t know how Teletubby [Andy Ruiz Jr] beat him. When I see him I have to ask him, how did you let Teletubby beat you? Maybe he’ll come back with something but I can’t get over it.”
He was then asked bout the losses to Usyk.
“He looked a little bit odd. Last minute he was playing around. Crazy times, you try and read people and you think you can understand them but I can’t. He looks like a tough boy from Watford but it’s scary to think what happened to him.”
Many might say Bruno had luck on his side in his career as he was presented with four chances to win a world title, and did so only at the final time of asking to ensure his name will forever remain in the history books.
Joshua has a chance at becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion next month when he faces newly-elevated IBF champ Daniel Dubois. Should he win, he may just get a crack at undisputed against the winner of the Usyk-Tyson Fury rematch.
