Anthony Joshua once told Tyson Fury David Haye would beat him in front of Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno during ‘Gloves Are Off’ conversation

Tyson Fury may be an undefeated heavyweight champion, but a young Anthony Joshua once predicted David Haye would beat him – to his face.

This was in 2013 when the British rivals – two of the biggest names in boxing today – were mere prospects at the time and gained experience from listening to three heavyweight legends in Lennox Lewis, Frank Bruno and Scott Welch on Sky Sports show ‘Gloves Are Off’ in 2013.

Sky Sports

Fury – who was further along in his professional career – was preparing to fight Haye and the discussion around the table turned to who might win.

“He’s an explosive puncher, David Haye. I’ve heard that from trainers and seen him knock guys out,” Joshua, who had won a gold medal at the London Olympic Games a year earlier, said.

“I don’t think anyone will get knocked out, it’ll go to points.”

Pressed on who would win, he said: “I’ll put it on Haye,” to which a smiling Fury replied: “Good man.”

The fight never happened with Haye pulling out through injury and Fury went on to beat Wladimir Klitschko two years after his intense showdown and become champion of the world.

Subsequent battles with depression and substance abuse, though, saw him vacate those WBA, IBF and WBO belts, which Joshua later held but are now in the possession of Oleksandr Usyk.

During the show, Fury was asked to give advice to aspiring champion Joshua.

The 24-year-old ‘Gypsy King’ told the 23-year-old AJ: “I’d say just listen to yourself.

“Don’t listen to anybody else, not one person.

“Because god forbid anything went wrong, you can’t blame other people and start pointing the finger.

Sean Michael Ham/TGB

Mark Robinson/Matchroom

“Always know that you’re only to blame yourself because you made that decision.

“And whatever you do in life, never regret it.

“Never, ‘If, but, should, woulda, coulda.’

“Give everything, while you can, when you can. And leave nothing behind.”

After a prolonged absence, Fury came back into boxing in triumphant fashion to face WBC champion Deontay Wilder in 2018, which ended in a controversial draw. He then won the WBC title in 2020 and defended it against the hard hitting American again in 2021.

He will next be in action against Dillian Whyte, on talkSPORT, on 23 April though fans will hope to see him beat his compatriot and set up another all-British clash against Joshua for all the belts if he can get past Usyk in their rematch.

Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte is live on talkSPORT on Saturday 23 April