British heavyweight Tyson Fury has vowed to knock out Anthony Joshua within seven rounds when the two rivals meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11, describing the highly anticipated showdown as a stepping stone towards a potential third fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury made the declaration in his first public comments since the long-awaited bout was confirmed, predicting a dominant performance against his fellow former heavyweight champion.
Speaking on the Furocity YouTube channel, Fury expressed confidence that he would stop Joshua inside six or seven rounds, insisting that his ultimate target remains a third encounter with Ukrainian heavyweight Usyk.
“I’m just going to knock him out, one hundred per cent,” Fury said.
“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.”
The former world champion also launched a verbal attack on Joshua’s physical conditioning, questioning his speed and stamina ahead of the blockbuster British heavyweight clash.
Fury described Joshua as an ageing fighter who relies too heavily on weight training, arguing that the former two-time world champion would struggle to match his movement and endurance in the ring.
“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,” Fury said.
The fight represents a major moment in British boxing, bringing together two of the country’s most recognisable heavyweight stars in a contest that has been anticipated by fans for years.
Fury’s comments have also placed renewed attention on his rivalry with Usyk, who defeated him twice on points in 2024. The Ukrainian remains a central figure in Fury’s plans, with the British boxer openly identifying a potential trilogy bout as his next major objective.
However, Fury will first have to overcome Joshua, who has his own ambitions of reclaiming his position among the heavyweight division’s leading contenders.
With Fury promising an early knockout and dismissing Joshua as little more than a stepping stone, the December 11 encounter is already generating considerable interest ahead of the fighters’ meeting in Cardiff.
The central question now is whether Fury can turn his bold prediction into reality or whether Joshua will have an opportunity to upset his rival’s plans.
