Tyson Fury was in his aspect calling out Anthony Joshua – this is why AJ refused face-off
EXCLUSIVE: Tyson Fury was in his element when he called out Anthony Joshua following his comeback fight as the two British boxing juggernauts will finally face off
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are set to finally face off(Image: Getty Images)
Tyson Fury was in his element calling out Anthony Joshua before their blockbuster heavyweight clash was finally confirmed.
Although years later than the fight should have been, Fury and Joshua are set to finally face each other in the ring in November. The bout hinges on AJ winning his fight against unknown Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this summer.
The build-up to the fight went into overdrive when Fury called out Joshua ringside after his unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this month. It was one of Joshua’s first public appearances since his harrowing near-death crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends.
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Joshua refused to face off with Fury after the ‘Gypsy King’ invited him into ring, instead remaining unfazed as he sat slumped in his chair – something that shows the stark contrast in the two’s showmanship approach.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport via Betway, Fury’s cuts man Jamie Sheldon dissected the moment that Fury put the wheels into overdrive to spark the Joshua fight when he called out the 36-year-old ringside.
“It wasn’t a surprise that Tyson called out Anthony Joshua after the fight as he was there ringside, so they clearly wanted to promote the fight,” Sheldon said.
“But Joshua is composed and isn’t one for standoffs and pushing and shoving, he’s never done that in his career, so it wasn’t a surprise either that he didn’t enter the ring and call out Tyson.
“Tyson was in his element when he has chances to do things like that and at the end of the day, it is all about selling and promoting a fight. It is what it is, and I am sure that Netflix were loving it as it would have got them so many view.”
Sheldon lauded Fury’s ability in the ring having seen him close up during the most high pressure moments. And he gave the former heavyweight world champion enormous credit for his boxing IQ.
“You can tell every feeling that’s going on [inside the ring], everything that they’re applying and what he needs to do in the ring. His understanding is phenomenal. It’s like he’s thinking two or three steps ahead at all times. That’s something you don’t always appreciate just watching on TV.
“Even when Tyson is in the corner after each round, he doesn’t need to be told what to do as he is always adapting during the fight, his boxing IQ is unbelievable and he reads the situation of a fight so good.”
Adding on his changing room demeanour, Sheldon added: “He was very chilled. Boxing is his happy place, and he was in the dressing room with his brothers and everything and they’re just trying to keep everything normal and keep it all relaxed.
“A lot of people change their demeanour as it gets closer to the fight, but Tyson is Tyson.”
