Just two weeks ago, Anthony Joshua’s second reign as heavyweight world champion came to an end.
The Brit has already exercised his rematch clause and will likely face new champion Oleksandr Usyk early in 2022.
Most observers have suggested AJ should have been more aggressive and made his size advantage count. Perhaps Joshua tried to outbox one of the best boxers on the planet today, though he says he has learned his lesson for next time.
As far as John Fury is concerned, though, the former champion hasn’t been the same since he overcame Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in 2017.
Speaking to talkSPORT Breakfast, ahead of his son’s own title fight with Deontay Wilder, he said: “He’s never been the same since. I think Klitschko emptied his tank in such a way that it terrified him.
“It’s done his head in mentally and he never wants to go back there again.
“You’ve seen it in his body language in the corner after going 12 rounds with Usyk. I’ve never seen nothing like it.”
Joshua has always opted to remain humble in victory and defeat, something his promoter Eddie Hearn has openly wished AJ would stray from.
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The body language Fury talks about saw Joshua shrugging his shoulders and accepting the defeat as Usyk was announced the new heavyweight champion.
Joshua has enjoyed great success since his victory over Klistchko, but it was undoubtedly a war.
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AJ knocked Klistchko down in the fifth, but the roles were reversed in the very next round and Joshua seemed to be holding on for several rounds before he regained his strength to win with a late barrage in the eleventh.
It was one of the all-time great heavyweight title contests. The 31 year old would successfully defend his titles against Carlos Takam and Alexander Povetkin while unifying the WBO heavyweight title in between before the disaster at Madison Square Garden against Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019
After avenging the loss to Ruiz that same year, AJ impressively stopped Kubrat Pulev last December. After that, we know what happened with Usyk. Is there an argument he hasn’t been the same since Klitschko?
Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Funnily enough, Joshua called out Tyson Fury after his victory over Klitschko four years ago.
“Tyson Fury, where you at, baby? Come on – that’s what they want to see. I just want to fight everyone. I’m really enjoying this right now.”
talkSPORT will bring you live and exclusive radio commentary of Tyson Fury’s heavyweight trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder this Saturday night. Download the talkSPORT app to listen and follow our live blog on the night for the latest updates and reaction.
