Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has said that whoever loses the fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury later this year will face a harsh reality.
With a November date in the works, the long-awaited bout between Joshua and Fury looks to be taking place at Wembley Stadium, but an official date and location is yet to be confirmed.
Before the clash takes place, however, both boxers have warm-up fights that are considered must-win bouts if the pair are to face off towards the end of the year.
Fury is facing Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday, July 24, whilst Joshua is up against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, July 25.
If all goes well in the weekend fights, the match-up between the two British heavyweights will be on, and Tony Bellew has warned that the loser will face a hard truth.
Harsh reality for the loser
Bellew has suggested that whoever doesn’t come out on top between Fury and Joshua will struggle to take the result.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Whoever loses between Joshua and Fury, it will be really hard for them to take.
“The loser faces a harsh reality.
“If we’re honest, both are slightly past their best, but it’s not going to stop anyone from tuning in because we all need to see this happen.
“This fight has been dodged for far too long.”
READ MORE: Boxing news: Tyson Fury still feels like ‘the best is yet to come’
Must fight on home soil
With Wembley being the rumoured location but not fully confirmed, Bellew says the clash must happen at home due to the stature of the fight.
Discussions have been had about an extended curfew at the stadium to allow for a 2am ring walk, but Brent Council have not yet been contacted about this.
Bellew said: “It’s the biggest fight in British boxing history.
“It’s got to happen here, it’s vital.
“It’s the right thing to do for everybody involved.
“If it goes abroad, so be it. Whoever is paying for it has the right to do what they want with it and put it wherever they see fit.”
Does Fury need more rounds?
Bellew shared his confusion over Fury’s decision to take another warm-up fight, seeing as his last only came in April when he beat Arslanbek Makhmudov.
He was more understanding of AJ’s warm-up fight as his last serious opponent was Daniel Dubois in December 2024, who beat him with a fifth-round knockout.
Bellew stated: “I get it with AJ because he hasn’t fought in so long when it wasn’t the best result for him.
“I’m not classing the Jake Paul fight as a real fight. He fought a guy who used to be on the Disney Channel.
“He didn’t even fight him. He chased him down and slapped him.
“AJ wants rounds, he needs rounds. We need to see what Joshua has left in this Prenga fight.
“This camp will tell us all we need to know.
“We’ve seen Fury in the ring against Makhmudov. I’m a bit more worried about Fury – why does he feel he needs more rounds?
“Maybe it’s just boxing. Guys want to stay active, stay busy.
“A guy who’s living in the gym is always going to be happy. That is what Fury is doing, he’s living in the gym.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Cricket news: Aaron Finch says Australians are giggling at English cricket
