Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe has weighed in on one of the most anticipated matchups in modern boxing, offering a definitive prediction on whether Anthony Joshua can produce an upset against Tyson Fury when the two British rivals finally meet in the ring on December 11.
The blockbuster showdown is officially set for Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, where a massive crowd will gather to witness the two modern heavyweight titans collide. Beyond the immense pride and domestic rivalry at stake, the fight carries monumental championship implications. The winner of the contest will claim the vacant WBA ‘super’ world heavyweight title, an achievement that will officially crown the victor as a three-time world champion.
Heading into the December clash, Fury has been established as the pre-fight favourite by bookmakers and observers alike. That status stems largely from his overall career resume and his recent run of form, which have reinforced his reputation as the premier heavyweight of his era. However, despite Fury holding the odds in his favour, a strong consensus remains within the sport that Joshua possesses the raw punch-power and determination needed to score a dramatic knockout victory.
That potential for drama was on full display in Joshua’s most recent ring appearance against Kristian Prenga. In what turned out to be a wild and dangerous outing, the 37-year-old Joshua found himself in severe early trouble after suffering two knockdowns in the very first round. Showing characteristic resolve, Joshua managed to regain his composure and halt Prenga in the very next session, securing a second-round stoppage.
While Prenga entered the bout as a little-known contender, the contest served as a clear snapshot of where Joshua stands at this stage of his career. The fight demonstrated that while the former champion remains susceptible to taking heavy shots, his power and finishing ability remain terrifyingly intact. He proved to be as formidable as he is vulnerable, capable of turning any fight around with a single landing.
Fury, on the other hand, presents a very different set of physical questions entering this December fixture. At 38 years old, the veteran champion appears to be showing subtle signs of physical decline after years of grueling combat at the highest level. In his previous ring outings earlier this year, Fury secured a points decision over the dangerous Arslanbek Makhmudov and followed it up with a stoppage victory over veteran Mariusz Wach.
Yet, despite winning both of those contests, Fury looked far less quick on his feet and noticeably less elusive than he was during the peak years of his career. At age 38, losing a step or two in reaction time and footwork is a natural evolution for any heavy-weight athlete, but the lingering question is how much of a factor that diminished speed will play when he is confronted with Joshua’s combinations and power.
It is precisely those factors that have influenced Bowe’s assessment of the fight. Speaking directly to Boxing News magazine, the International Boxing Hall of Famer revealed that he is picking Joshua to triumph in Cardiff, despite holding a strong personal fondness for Fury. Bowe explained that his technical breakdown of the matchup overrides his personal affinity for the pre-fight favourite.
"I don’t like to say it, because I like Fury, but I’m taking Joshua," Bowe stated to Boxing News.
Bowe’s endorsement of Joshua comes at a critical juncture in the 37-year-old challenger’s career trajectory. Prior to his dramatic second-round stoppage of Prenga, Joshua had worked his way back into position by scoring a sixth-round victory over Jake Paul. That win over Paul was an essential rebuilding step following a devastating setback, in which Joshua was stopped in the fifth round by Daniel Dubois in a heavy-handed affair.
The path Joshua has taken to reach this December 11 date highlights a turbulent period marked by sharp rebounds and high-stakes drama. The fifth-round loss to Dubois represented one of the most setback-heavy moments of Joshua’s professional career, exposing defensive lapses that Dubois capitalized on. Returning to defeat Paul provided a necessary reset before taking on the dangerous, unpredictable test against Prenga, where Joshua once again had to overcome immediate adversity.
Fury’s path to Cardiff has been somewhat more stable in terms of results, yet the nature of his victories over Makhmudov and Wach raised stylistic concerns among observers like Bowe. Against Makhmudov, Fury relied heavily on ring generalship and tactical boxing over twelve rounds to earn a clear verdict on the scorecards. In his subsequent bout against Wach, he broke down his opponent to earn a stoppage, but spent far more time trading in range than he typically permitted during his prime years.
For Bowe, who engaged in some of the most famous heavyweight battles in boxing history during his own legendary career, the physical realities facing both men appear to favour the younger puncher’s knockout capabilities. While Fury is just one year older than Joshua at 38, any slight reduction in his defensive reflexes and mobility could prove costly against an opponent who hits with the authority that Joshua maintains.
The atmosphere inside Cardiff’s Principality Stadium promises to be electric on December 11 as the two long-time rivals finally resolve their differences in front of tens of thousands of fans. With the WBA ‘super’ championship belt hanging in the balance, the fight represents an opportunity for both men to add a historic third world title reign to their respective legacies.
As fight night approaches, the clash of styles remains the defining storyline of the event. Fury will look to rely on his deep tactical toolbox, veteran craft, and championship experience to outmaneuver Joshua and validate his standing as the pre-fight favourite. Meanwhile, Joshua enters as the underdog, carrying the endorsement of Hall of Famer Riddick Bowe and knowing that his path to victory lies in capitalizing on any momentary physical lapse from his rival.
Whether Fury’s ring generalship will overcome his recent physical slowdown, or whether Joshua’s devastating power will carry him through early vulnerabilities to secure the WBA title, will finally be answered in Cardiff. For Bowe and those who share his view, Joshua’s proven capability to recover and deliver dynamic finishes makes him the man to watch when the bell rings on December 11.
