Anthony Joshua knocked over yet another past-his-best opponent on Saturday night, the third time the Briton has beaten a former contender advanced in years.
Joshua looked a bit shaky in dealing with Kubrat Pulev, failing to go for the kill when his opponent was clearly there for the taking earlier on.
The 31-year-old was as vulnerable as ever once again opposite a heavyweight not rated in the top five.
Despite big talk of facing Tyson Fury next, similar to saying he’d fight Deontay Wilder in 2018, Joshua is not expected to step up to the plate in 2021.
The overwhelming view, and one shared by WBN, is that AJ will go for Oleksandr Usyk, a cruiserweight much easier to deal with than Fury.
Eddie Hearn is already talking about Fury being next, although the promoter is likely to divert his fighter away from the ‘biggest fight in UK history.’
Sadly, it’s going to be the same old story for British fans, who seem to lap up Joshua despite the controversial 2012 Olympic champion carving out a career while avoiding the two best in the division.
World Boxing News, courtesy of Betfair, have been handed odds for a 2021 clash between Joshua and Fury.
At the moment, they are likely to be mere fantasy, though.
It’s not expected that this fight will take place in the first half of 2021.
According to the bookie, if it does, UK fans will have to travel to Saudi Arabia for the most significant British fight in years.
Absolute lunacy if it happens.
Betfair said: “Anthony Joshua is 11/8 to beat Tyson Fury, who is the 4/7 favorite, in a 2021 fight after the Brit beat Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night.
“Saudi Arabia is the odds-on favorite to host the fight at 10/11, while the bout taking place in the UK is 10/1, behind USA (2/1) and UAE (5/1) in the market.
Joshua is 1/5 to fight once in 2021. But it is unlikely to be his last as he’s 20/1 to retire next year, while Fury is 5/1 to hang up the gloves in 2021.
Betfair – Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury 2021 specials
Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury result Joshua 11/8 Fury 4/7
AJ v Fury Fight 1 Country Location Saudi Arabia 10/11 USA 2/1 UAE 5/1 UK 10/1
AJ v Fury Fight 1 Exact Location Diriyah Arena 10/11 Allegiant Stadium 4/1 T-Mobile Arena 8/1 MGM Arena 12/1 MSG 14/1 Wembley Stadium 20/1 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 25/1 O2 Arena 33/1.
Anthony Joshua to retire in 2021 – 20/1 Tyson Fury to retire in 2021 – 5/1 Anthony Joshua to fight more than once in 2021 – 1/5
