Joshua V Fury: Who is more washed?

You would think approaching 40 is toward the end of a human’s ability to perform at truly elite levels in an athletic sense, and the person who looks after their body as if it’s a temple will retain a wider range for a longer time. That will play its part with Joshua seemingly permanently in the shape of a mythical god statue. We know with fighting it’s not just whether you’re in peak physical shape which determines how your fights go, luckily for AJ he isn’t just a body builder despite what Fury proclaims but it is true it’s just one ingredient in the pan. Tyson has an insane reservoir of stamina and heart and always seems to be in fighting shape no matter how he looks but I think at this point we will see diminishing returns regarding the impact not living the life all year round will have on him and AJ may benefit in a way which he wouldn’t have if they met earlier.

It was very promising that he showed the rather concussive last Wilder battle didn’t finish him with two admirable attempts to defeat Usyk but I fear he will have far less motivation and perhaps have lost his undefeated I’m the best pugilist king that’s ever lived swagger. He finally lost his aura at the peak of his career and will be facing someone he considers beneath him who has had to overcome disappointment several times at this point and can punch very hard and is still a good fighter. Fury has always been the mentally stronger fighter by miles but it’s an interesting fight psychologically in the current climate. If Fury loses to Joshua his resume takes a gigantic bullet and vice versa.

 

I'd lean towards Fury, although it is pretty hard to judge the man's level when he is fighting a maestro like Usyk. For what's its worth, I'd bet on Fury beating AJ.

 

I don't think it matters. If they box each other which I hope they do, it should be good viewing.

 

Fury

 

I have always felt that AJ would stop Fury and I believe if they fought now it would be the same result. I have also always felt that Fury has done everything he could to avoid AJ. I also think AJ has been a huge disappointment so I am not his biggest fan.

 

Would have to say AJ, seems like the kind of guy who would get two showers a day.

 

100% Fury is the more washed up.

A 37 year old, out of the ring for a year. Caught in between fights regularly legless and clearly not living the life every day of the year. Has only fought 6 times in the last 5 years. Talks constantly about being retired, and is sitting around not really wanting to come back.

As we have seen many times, inactivity kills. AJ has fought 8 times since 2020 and has fought in the past year. As the more active fighter, who is in better shape, AJ has more left.

 

Chisora was his first impressive win.

He would have been underdog because he was dropped heavily by US CW Cunningham and dropped by European level Pajkic in earlier fights. People doubted he could even hang with a real HW who was fringe world level.

It was also still in the memory that he had that "unofficial" UD loss to McDermott, a fight he entered the ring out of shape half arsing it.