As the boxing world counts down the days to one of the most anticipated domestic matchups in modern heavyweight history, legendary former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has weighed in on the upcoming mega-fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. While "Iron Mike" is firmly backing the undefeated "Gypsy King" to emerge victorious in their long-awaited collision at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11, he is already looking past the historic bout and outlining a blockbuster future opponent for Joshua.
The upcoming showdown in the Welsh capital carries massive historical significance, offering both British heavyweights the monumental opportunity to become a three-time world champion. At stake is the prestigious WBA "super" title, a championship that remains the primary focus for both camps despite the complicated landscape of the division, which includes Murat Gassiev holding the sanctioning body’s "regular" title and viewing himself as a recognized world champion. Yet, for the fans packed into the stadium and millions watching around the globe, the fight is about more than just a belt; it is the ultimate settling of accounts between two defining figures of an era.
In the lead-up to the opening bell, opinion among pundits, fighters, and fans remains fiercely divided, though a significant portion of the boxing community continues to give the edge to Tyson Fury. Much of this support is rooted in confidence regarding his overall boxing IQ, defensive resilience, and the widespread perception that he has declined less harshly over the years than his domestic rival. Fury’s recent ring resume, featuring respective points and stoppage victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach, demonstrated a fighter who could control the pace and secure the win without ever appearing genuinely imperiled or close to being stopped—even if those performances occasionally failed to set the global boxing world completely alight.
In contrast, Anthony Joshua’s recent path to this unification-style encounter has been far more dramatic and fraught with defensive vulnerability. Most notably, Joshua suffered a terrifying scare during his July contest against Kristian Prenga, hitting the canvas twice in a chaotic opening round before displaying his trademark championship grit and resilience to turn the tide and secure a dramatic second-round finish. While "AJ" ultimately managed to get the job done and prove his finishing instincts remain razor-sharp, those early defensive lapses have left lingering questions about how he will handle the sustained pressure and awkward angles of a master boxer like Fury.
Even so, Joshua remains one of the most dangerous and explosive punchers in the sport, fully capable of altering the trajectory of a fight with a single right hand. Nevertheless, when speaking during a recent appearance with DJ Whoo Kid, "Iron Mike" made it clear that he is leaning toward Fury to successfully navigate the threat and walk away with his hand raised. Tyson pointed to Fury’s exceptional composure under duress, a trait that has served the lineal champion well throughout his illustrious career against elite-level opposition.
"Tyson’s always been known to handle pressure well, but it’s going to be interesting to watch this fight," Tyson told DJ Whoo Kid during the interview. "I know Joshua’s going to be throwing faster punches, but his punches can’t be faster than Deontay Wilder’s."
That observation segued into a broader discussion about Joshua’s future in the division once the dust settles in Cardiff. Beyond backing Fury to win the immediate battle, Tyson expressed a strong personal desire to see Joshua eventually lock horns with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. A potential clash between Joshua and the hard-hitting American has been discussed, debated, and derailed by promotional and financial hurdles for years, leaving fight fans yearning for a resolution.
While a high-stakes collision between Joshua and Wilder could certainly be revisited down the line, both fighters and their respective teams know that looking too far ahead in the heavyweight division is a dangerous gamble. Before any future bouts against knockout artists like Wilder can materialize, Anthony Joshua must remain entirely focused on the immediate task at hand: preparing for the physical and mental warfare that awaits him on December 11 against a supremely confident Tyson Fury in the heart of Cardiff.
