Fury Odds On To Beat Anthony Joshua

The recent announcement regarding a dual bout between heavyweight giants Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has captured global fascination, with betting activities buzzing with anticipation. The bookies have marked Tyson Fury, the reigning WBC World Champion, as the favorite to win William Hill with one oddsmaker proposing odds of 4/7 in favor of the Gypsy King overcoming the WBO, WBA, and IBF titleholder Anthony Joshua.

This face-off between these two boxing icons promises to be a pinnacle sporting highlight this year. Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, has shared that several locations are vying to host the match, with Saudi Arabia leading in popularity. Speculations suggest that just the initial encounter anticipated around early summer could potentially generate upwards of £200 million, to be divided by the fighters. The sequel event might likely unfold in Joshua’s hometown of London.

Fury showcased his prowess in his last fight in February 2020 by defeating former WBC champion Deontay Wilder via technical knockout during their rematch in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old Fury boasts a massive fan following, including legendary boxers like Mike Tyson and Joe Calzaghe, who are confident of his victory over Joshua. Tyson commented, “It’s intriguing. Joshua is an exceptional puncher but gives away his moves, something perilous against Fury, who stands 6ft 7in.”

Anthony Joshua, too, enjoys a significant fan base. Despite a challenging past, the 31-year-old from Watford now focuses on achieving billionaire status, having already amassed approximately $80 million. His bouts against Fury could significantly contribute to this ambition. His last victory was against Kubrat Pulev in December the previous year, securing a knockout in the ninth round along with retaining his WBA, WBO, and IBF titles.

Wladimir Klitschko, whom Joshua defeated in an iconic match at Wembley in 2017, believes Joshua will come out on top, asserting, “Joshua is a standout athlete, a remarkable fighter, an Olympic gold medalist, and above all, a fantastic individual representing the heavyweight champion image flawlessly. I take pride in calling him a friend even after being rivals. I foresee Joshua ultimately uniting all the belts.”

A significant uncertainty surrounding this bout is Tyson Fury’s physical shape. Known for his mental health battles and notorious weight fluctuations, Fury has been candidly criticized by Joshua in the past, urging him to “Get fit.” Nevertheless, Fury is capable of shedding weight remarkably when necessary. However, a recent sight on Instagram depicted Fury running into the sea in Morecambe, sparking fan concern about his current form potentially hindering his ring speed against Joshua. Nonetheless, some optimistically viewed it as reminiscent of his former victory against Klitschko.

Despite the doubts about his readiness, Fury’s chances remain strong, aided by his potential superior range and speed, assuming he regains his top condition. Betting agencies regard a draw as improbable, evidenced by the 22/1 odds provided by Paddy Power representative of the market.

Sky's agreement with Hearn and Joshua and BT's equivalent deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions for Fury will see British fans paying around £40 to view the highly-anticipated bout live. Ongoing discussions are underway concerning broadcasting rights in the US and beyond.