Joshua stronger than Fury – ex-world champ Saunders

Former two-weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders has backed Anthony Joshua’s physical strength and punching accuracy as the qualities that could prove decisive when he eventually meets Tyson Fury, while acknowledging that Fury’s superior boxing technique makes the all-British heavyweight showdown too close to call.

Saunders, a long-time friend of Fury, offered a balanced assessment of the anticipated clash, suggesting the outcome will ultimately be determined by whichever fighter is better able to execute his game plan on the night.

“They’ve both got their own attributes. AJ’s stronger, a cleaner puncher. Tyson’s a better boxer, more slick.

“Whoever can put together the best game plan will win, I think,” Saunders said in an interview with The Stomping Ground.

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The fight remains without a confirmed date or venue, with promoter Frank Warren previously saying a meeting between all parties must first take place before those details can be locked in.

Both fighters must first come through warm-up bouts, with Joshua (36) scheduled to face Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 25 in what will be his first outing since a sixth-round stoppage of Jake Paul in December and his first since losing two close friends in a tragic car crash in Nigeria.

Fury (37), meanwhile, returned from a 16-month layoff in April to outpoint Arslanbek Makhmudov in a performance widely considered below his best and is targeting another fight in August before the Joshua bout.

Saunders also noted that Joshua’s training relationship with Oleksandr Usyk — who has beaten Fury — could give him a significant edge in preparation. Usyk’s blueprint for defeating the “Gypsy King” is one Joshua’s camp will have studied closely.

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