Fury Promises to Knock Out Joshua in Seven Rounds

Tyson Fury has promised to knock out Anthony Joshua in less than seven rounds when they fight in Cardiff on December 11. He called the match a "stepping stone" toward a trilogy fight with Oleksandr Usyk, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

This is Fury's first statement since Thursday's news that the long-anticipated British heavyweight clash will be at the Principality Stadium. Fury expects an easy win that would lead to a third fight with Usyk, who has beaten him twice on points in 2024.

"I’m just going to knock him out, one hundred per cent," Fury said on the Furocity YouTube channel.

"I’m going to box the head off him and stop him inside six or seven rounds. I’m only using Joshua as a stepping stone, a warm-up to Usyk."

Fury does not think Joshua can compete. He feels Joshua lacks the speed and stamina needed to challenge him.

"Joshua, for me, is an old bum. A weightlifter. Too many weights, not enough speed. Too many weights, no cardio. So I will cut through him like a hot knife through butter," he said.

"I want Usyk. I want him in America, though, where I get a fair decision. I won the first two fights, and I will definitely get a decision there, where it is fair. But now I want to use Joshua as a heavy bag, then move on to Usyk. Give me a good warm-up before March next year."

Negotiations for the Joshua fight had failed several times before this week’s announcement. Fury still doubts Joshua after he refused to face him at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.

"He had his chance for a face-off. He was a little coward at Tottenham the other month, whenever it was. He did not want to get in the ring," Fury said.

"We will see. I never believed I would get him in the ring. So getting him in the ring now is like Christmas has come early for me. I can never imagine him sitting next to me at a press conference. It is going to be an onslaught."

Even with all the trash talk, Fury said he would respect the fight's outcome, no matter what.

"All the talking aside, honestly, we are both going to get in there and both going to throw down. And I always say, look, may the best man win. If he knocks me out, I will shake his hand, and if I knock him out, I will shake his hand, either way," he said.

When asked if he had a message for Joshua, Fury replied, "I have got no messages at all. Turn up on the night. Stay sharp. On ball, on point, ready to rock and roll. Let’s go. Ready to train."

This fight brings together two of the biggest names in British heavyweight boxing after years of stalled negotiations. The venue issues were only settled this week.