George Groves backs Tyson Fury to knock out Anthony Joshua
George Groves has backed Tyson Fury “to knock out” Anthony Joshua, feeling the Fury camp will be “more confident” following the pair’s warm-up bouts, reports BritPanorama.
The Gypsy King comfortably beat 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in the seventh round, winning by TKO. In contrast, Joshua had a more tumultuous outing, as he won with a dramatic second-round knockout against Kristian Prenga, having survived two first-round knockdowns.
Groves, speaking exclusively to BetSelect, expressed his belief that Fury will prevail in their scheduled bout later this year. He stated, “I thought Joshua would be sharp enough, and he definitely punches hard enough to land on Fury and maybe hurt and put a dent in him and finish him. But I think his punch resistance is completely gone. Sorry, Joshua.”
He elaborated, “So, if Fury lands on Joshua, the likelihood is that Joshua will get knocked out. Fury is a lot harder to hit than Joshua is.” This analysis reflects Groves’ confidence in Fury’s superior defensive skills, as he indicated that while Joshua has power, his ability to absorb punishment may now be compromised.
Additionally, Groves noted recent developments in Joshua’s life that might affect his performance. He remarked, “Even more recently, I thought Joshua’s probably in better shape. He’s lived a cleaner life – he’s going to be a better athlete.” However, he acknowledged the personal impact of a tragic incident in Nigeria, where Joshua’s friends died, which Groves suggested might have affected Joshua mentally.
The upcoming Fury vs Joshua encounter is being hailed as a potential landmark event in British boxing history. However, Groves opined, “I think you’ve got Fury as the clear favourite right now,” suggesting this may not be the biggest fight as some claim.
Encapsulating the anticipation surrounding the bout, Groves raised questions about its potential for spectacle, as he observed that Fury thrives on having a challenge to motivate his training. With planned promotional elements—including a Netflix show—Groves speculated whether the real stakes might be clouded by spectacle rather than a genuine contest.
While the specific date remains unconfirmed, November appears to be the target month for the fight, with discussions ongoing to accommodate a global audience and likely venue considerations focusing on the US, as suggested by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.
In a landscape rich with expectation, the focus will ultimately be on how these two champions will clash, each bringing their history and narratives into the ring. Yet, as Groves suggests, there lies an undercurrent of speculation about the fight’s magnitude, leaving fans to ponder how this storied rivalry may yet unfold.
