Paulie Malignaggi has gone early with his prediction for the Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury fight later this year.
This all-British heavyweight showdown has been talked about for more than a decade. In that time, both men have become two-time world champions, but both have been derailed by Oleksandr Usyk and failed to reverse their losses in the rematch.
Neither now has a belt, and both are rapidly approaching 40 years of age. Fury had the whole of 2025 off and has fought twice this year, first beating Arslanbek Makhmudov over 12 rounds in April, and then at the end of July he forced Mariusz Wach to retire after seven rather lacklustre rounds.
Joshua was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in 2024 and didn’t return until December last year when he stopped Jake Paul. A car accident that took the lives of his two friends then set him back, and he only returned in late July against Kristian Prenga, who had him down twice in the first round but was then stopped decisively in the second round.
Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Malignaggi was asked who he thinks will come out on top.
“If I had to pick who I think would win, with no running interest and just trying to logically look at it, I would probably think Fury had the advantage.”
Many British fight fans are hoping Joshua vs. Fury takes place in the UK, although the latest is that it could well happen in New York in November, with Madison Square Garden the most likely venue.
