ANTHONY JOSHUA was tipped to beat Tyson Fury in a rematch with their first fight ending in a draw by Bernard Hopkins.
Just like in the Gypsy King’s first go at Deontay Wilder in December 2018, Hopkins predicted the Brit will be subject to a controversial draw against Joshua.
Anthony Joshua has been tipped to beat Tyson Fury in a rematch with their first fight ending in a draw
Fury threatened to retire after knocking out Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April but is fighting Derek Chisora next
Fury and Joshua seemingly agreed a Battle of Britain showdown last year.
Fury was expected to chase a bout with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk is the undefeated WBA, IBF and WBO champion after beating AJ in their rematch in Saudi Arabia, but wants to rest and spend time with family.
And Fury called out AJ back in September, to which Joshua responded.
The mischievous Gypsy King teased AJ by posting on social media: “I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.”
And the Watford hero tweeted in reply: “Yeah calm. I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if you’re really about it, shout. I’ll be ready in December.”
Fury can cherry pick any of the WBC’s top 15 contenders. And he told Joshua: “You’re coming off a 12-round fight, so you’re match-fit.
“I’m giving you a few months’ notice. So, if you’re interested, I’ll send you the date over and we can rumble.
MOST READ IN BOXING
“A Battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“Let me know if you’re interested. If not, I will select another opponent.”
However, when Fury didn’t get the answer he wanted in time – he switched his attentions to for another fight in December. He is now taking on Derek Chisora at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday,
But should Fury ever pit his wits against Joshua, boxing legend Hopkins has had his say on how he sees the dream blockbuster bout playing out.
Speaking to iFL TV back in June 2020, the 57-year-old said: “It’ll be a draw and they’ll fight a second time and the second time Joshua would beat him.
“I’m going to go with this one. The first fight is going to be a draw, I’m telling you.
“The second fight Joshua wins, but the first fight will be a draw because it’s going to be hard to score and that’s when the controversy comes in with who got the rounds.
“People will have their own opinion on who will win the fight, but I’m telling you the first fight is going to be so close it’ll be a draw.
“The second fight will happen and Joshua is going to win.”
He added: “I figure [Joshua] makes the adjustments, figures him out and realise he’s got to go for the body instead of the head.
“And then he will fall. The head will hit the knees.”
Bernard Hopkins reckons Joshua and Fury will draw in their first fight should they ever come to blows