ANTHONY JOSHUA has been backed to beat Tyson Fury with his ‘speed, power and jab’ by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hearn is now working tirelessly with Fury’s matchmakers Bob Arum and Frank Warren to seal a deal for the AJ and the Gypsy King to finally fight.
Joshua, 31, sent out a message to his long-time rival after dropping Kubrat Pulev four times during his round nine knockout.
And Hearn is confident the same tactics which made sure the unified champion preserved the undisputed title decider will ultimately lead him to victory.
He told William Hill: “Because he has the technical ability to mix it with one of the best technical heavyweights of our time in Tyson Fury, who is big, awkward and clever.
“But (Joshua) has the speed on the inside and the outside, he has the jab to match him, he has the fundamentals, but he also has the speed and power to go in there.
“I’m not a buyer of Tyson Fury’s power. I’m not saying he can’t punch, but it’s not like this is a devastating puncher that’s been bojo-ing people out of the ring for years and years.
“Someone messaged me earlier on Instagram, saying: ‘Tyson Fury is going to knock Anthony Joshua spark out.’
“I said: ‘When was the last time Fury knocked anyone spark out or had them gone?’
“Probably (Steve) Cunningham? But when was that – six or seven years ago?
“I think under (trainer) SugarHill (Steward), he’s working a lot better on his power and aggression, so he’s dangerous.
“But for me, AJ has the speed and the power to get on the inside – and you have to get hold of him and that’s very difficult.”
Deontay Wilder’s case for a third fight with Fury is still being reviewed following a legal dispute.
And Joshua’s WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk has also threatened to get in the way of boxing’s biggest prizefight.
But bullish Hearn has warned they will vacate the belt should it come to it, as fighting Fury is their No1 priority.
He said: “No, we don’t care. Because we’ll vacate a belt, if we have to.
“But we will do everything we can to see that (Fury) fight be undisputed. It’s not a problem, everyone wants it.
“You’ll see that fight next year.”
