Former welterweight world champion Kell Brook has given his prediction for the long-awaited showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

The all-British heavyweight clash is expected to take place in November following years of failed talks, after contracts were signed back in April. There are, however, obstacles remaining, as both Fury and Joshua will fight once in the interim.

Speaking to Boxing King MediaBrook concluded that, despite both ‘AJ’ and ‘The Gypsy King’ being past their best, he leans towards Fury.

“I can’t really say who I want to win. Whoever wants it the most, whoever gets the win, deserves it. Who I think is gonna win the fight, in my opinion, is Tyson Fury. I just think he’s more natural. He’s [been] boxing since he could walk.

“If you ask me closer to the fight… AJ’s got that one-two, those straight shots, an unbelievable athlete. Fury had a long time out. They both aren’t the same fighters. We’ll have to wait and see, but I lean towards Fury.”

Last week, Fury announced that he will be fighting Polish veteran Mariusz Wach in Thailand on July 24. The following night in Saudi Arabia, Joshua takes on little-known heavyweight Kristian Prenga.

After their respective warm-up fights in late July, if both emerge victorious as expected, it is likely there will be official confirmation of one of the most anticipated fights in boxing.

Some details, however, remain up in the air, with the location still being determined and the US said to be just as likely as the UK.

Moses Itauma has been advised against taking a world title shot, or rather one that involves a formidable opponent.

The 21-year-old already has a fight lined up against Filip Hrgovic, but could soon become one of the youngest heavyweight champions in history.

This achievement would put him in the same breath as Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson, but first Itauma must come through his assignment on August 29.

Taking on the most significant challenge of his career, the unbeaten prodigy will face Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena in his third Queensberry main event.

With Oleksandr Usyk having vacated his three beltsthough, Itauma could potentially secure a major title shot before even entering his next outing.

This is because the IBF have ordered a vacant title fight between Itauma and Frank Sanchezwho became the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger in May.

‘The Cuban Flash’ earned his position with a stunning second-round finish over Richard Torrez Jr, while his only defeat came against WBC champion Agit Kabayel in 2024.

Itauma, meanwhile, has previously turned down an ordered fight with the 33-year-old, whose manager, Mike Borao, has told Sky Sports that his client’s next opponent is neither here nor there.

“I was surprised when Moses initially turned down the final eliminator against Frank recently.

“Moses is an incredible talent with massive upside. I myself am a fan of Moses, but a fight with Frank is probably a bit too soon, since he is young and there are other paths to a title for him.

“In the end, it doesn’t matter who Frank boxes because, as I have always said, a healthy Frank Sanchez with [trainer] Eddy Reynoso and Canelo [Alvarez] in his corner beats anyone.

“Boxing fans saw the devastation a healthy Frank Sanchez is capable of against Richard Torrez.”

Sanchez was hampered by a knee injury during the Kabayel fight, which resulted in an eighth-round stoppage defeat, but the Cuban has since undergone surgery and seems in a much stronger position.

As for his potential clash with Itauma, both sides have until July 29 to reach an agreement, otherwise their ordered showdown will go to a purse bid hearing.

In the event that Itauma withdraws his interest, Sanchez will be ordered to face the next available contender in the IBF rankings.

The two have traded insults for years, and their rivalry nearly turned physical earlier this year during the launch press conference for Tyson Fury’s comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov. John challenged Froch to settle their differences in the ring, and the former champion accepted. Although Misfits Boxing expressed interest in staging the bout, no deal was reached.

Now, Fury has revealed exactly what it would take for him to sign.

“All I want to say to Carl, get me a £2.5 million contract, I’ll sign on the dotted line, and let’s get it on,” Fury said to Fight Your Corner. “We don’t need it a long time away because at 61 I ain’t got that long. But let me tell you something, I’m game.”

Fury insisted he has no concerns about competing despite his age.

“You think I’m going to embarrass myself by not fighting? It’s on like Donkey Kong. I’m gonna fight, because at the end of the day that’s what I do.”

He also believes the contest would make boxing history.

“What I want to do, really, is make history. I’ll be the first 61-year-old man in history to take on a three-time Hall of Famer in Carl Froch. I can’t wait. Get me that contract and I will be there, anywhere in the world. I mean that, I’ve got nothing else.”

Froch has previously indicated he would accept the fight if Fury agreed to the terms, leaving the financial side as the biggest obstacle. Whether any promoter is willing to invest £2.5 million in an exhibition between the pair remains to be seen, but Fury says his signature is available if the offer arrives.