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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Tyson Fury's dad gives bold backing to Anthony Joshua in Deontay Wilder fight

Tyson Fury's dad John believes Anthony Joshua will stop Deontay Wilder in their potential heavyweight fight this December.

Joshua made his heavyweight return in April when he comfortably outpointed Jermaine Franklin in London, as he regained momentum after two losses to Oleksandr Usyk. It was expected that he would return this summer, with a rematch against Dillian Whyte touted, but he is now in talks to face long-term rival Wilder in the Middle-East this December.

Wilder is known for his explosive power and could go into the contest as marginal favourite given his tight three contests with Fury. And the 'Gypsy King' himself this week suggested Joshua would struggle in the fight despite insisting he would support his fellow Briton.

He said at a recent press conference: “I think we all know what happens. I’d love for AJ to knock him out, because Wilder’s a little b****. He’s a moaning p****, forgive me for my language. But I just see [Joshua] getting chinned to be honest.”

However his father John, who is known to be a public backer of Joshua throughout his career, believes it will be him having his hand raised if the pair do battle. “AJ will knock [Wilder] out. And you know why? Because Deontay Wilder can’t take shots on the side of his head. Tyson, ‘The Gypsy King’ cracked his skull. If AJ lands in the same place, AJ knocks him out.”

Joshua was previously set to meet Wilder when the pair held all of the world titles, but the undisputed showdown failed to materialise with the Briton rejecting an offer worth $50 million. However it appears a lucrative offer could be made to both fighters from the Middle-East for the pair to finally do battle without the belts.

Anthony Joshua has been backed by John Fury to beat Deontay Wilder (Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)

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The showdown could be part of a four-man tournament which could also see Fury and Usyk finally settle their rivalry on the same night before the winners of either clash face each other. Joshua will need to step his performance up another level with new coach Derrick James to secure the victory.

In a fresh update on negotiations, Eddie Hearn believes Joshua will be involved and is confident that 'The Bronze Bomber' will also sign on the dotted line. "The situation is Saudi Arabia would like to do Fury against Usyk and AJ against Wilder that are on the same night," Hearn told The Fight Is Right.

"I went out there two weeks ago and they are deadly serious. I've done two big fights with them before. I know they deliver. As I understand it, they have been doing their own negotiations with Deontay Wilder, which have gone very well. If they can't get Usyk and Fury over the line, they will still do AJ against Wilder. They want this big quartet though."

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