Tyson Fury dismantled Deontay Wilder with ease in their heavyweight rematch because “he was at his highest height” on the night, according to Anthony Joshua.
Wilder was battered from pillar to post by Fury in Las Vegas, dropping to the canvas twice before his trainer Mark Breland chose to throw in the towel after seven rounds.
It was a sensational performance from the Gypsy King, who became a two-time heavyweight champion of the world by snatching Wilder’s WBC crown from his grasp.
And Joshua, who holds every other major title in the division, believes Wilder may have underestimated a mentally-strong Fury in Sin City.
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“Fury’s very talented, Wilder’s very talented, they went in there and they gave their best and one man came out on top,” he said on Lucozade Sport’s The Running Show podcast.
“Maybe Wilder thought it would be an easier fight because Fury had a long layoff because he had his own issues outside of the ring and stuff like that, but I think he [Fury] was mentally right.
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“So they were both physically conditioned for the fight, but sometimes when you’ve been at rock bottom where Fury was, the only way is up, you can’t actually go any lower than that.
“So he picked himself up and only he knew how high he took his heights.
“You won’t even let yourself get there again, so I think he was at his highest height that night and it paid off for him.
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“Mentally he was in the best place possible and he just pulled off a great performance against a dangerous puncher.”
Wilder has triggered the rematch clause at his disposal, meaning he will lock horns with Fury for a third time this summer.
Joshua also has to get past IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20 before negotiations for an undisputed showdown between both winners can begin.
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Yet Fury’s father, John, has urged the former Olympic champion to steer clear of his son.
“You're a nice guy. You look well, you've got a big future but when it comes down to the beating, fighting lion heart I don't think you've got it,” he told AJ via iFL TV.
“So, don't mess with Tyson Fury. Keep your belts, go and fight other people but don't mess with Tyson unless it's worth your while, because let me tell you it'll be the last time you ever box if you mess with him.”
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