Anthony Joshua has ruled out Tyson Fury’s chances of defeating Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch.

Fury will face Usyk for the second time on December 21 in Saudi Arabia, seven months after a split decision defeat to the Ukrainian who became the undisputed heavyweight champion, a fight Joshua watched from the ring.

“AJ”, who will face Daniel Dubois in a fight for IBF heavyweight title September 21st at Wembley Stadium after Usyk relinquished his belt, believes the “Gypsy King” was pleased with himself and believes his arch-rival needs to change his attitude ahead of the rematch.

“I said Usyk would win,” Joshua said International television.

“I said from 2023.

“I think Fury is a good fighter, but there are certain levels.

“The cruiserweight almost knocked him out, almost knocked Fury out.

“That’s what I tell Daniel [Dubois]you have to draw conclusions from situations like this, from Fury’s situation.

“I don’t think he underestimated him, but what he was saying was, ‘You’re a middleweight, you’re this, you’re that.’

“It just goes to show that you can never underestimate a player’s achievements.

“You should give them the credit they deserve to make sure you don’t go in there thinking you’re going to harass someone and then in a moment you know it could turn into a fight.

“Usyk performed well.

“Fury should maybe give him the credit he deserves next time and he can do better.”

Joshua and Fury are expected to face off in the highly anticipated clash between the Brits, with both expected to emerge victorious over Dubois and Usyk respectively.

Joshua, 34, has reeled off four straight wins after two defeats to Usyk and expects the Ukrainian to beat his compatriot again.

Asked if he would win the return match, the Watford player replied: “I personally think the same.

“No, no way.

“I think Fury is good. You’ve seen some good moments, I just don’t think he can do it.

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate Fury. I think Fury is good.

“He got himself into this situation.

“I just don’t think he’s better than Usyk.”

Jaron Ennis has warned Terence Crawford that he has what it takes to beat him and believes his compatriot will bring out the best in him if they fight.

Crawford and Ennis have been trending towards each other ever since the latter became the IBF welterweight champion, and many believe the shunned Philadelphia fighter has the best chance of beating him.

“Boots” will defend his IBF world title for the first time when he fights David Avanesyan on July 13 at the Wells Fargo Center in his hometown, his first fight since signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing organization.

Crawford will move up to super welterweight to challenge WBA world champion Israil Madrimov on August 3 in Los Angeles, and Ennis says he is a better fighter than arguably the best non-weight contender in the sport.

“Whatever he thinks he can do, I can do better,” the 27-year-old said The One and Only Kayla.

“I am shrewd and pointed.

“When I fight someone who is better, I become better too, and people don’t understand that.

“When you compete with better competition and better people, it makes you smarter, it makes you better, it makes you think, it allows you to go to the next level.

“Fighting might be easier than you think or what other people think because I know what I’m going to do.”

“Boots” was supposed to defend his belt against Cody Crowley, but the 31-year-old was forced withdraw due to eye injury.

Former WBA welterweight world champion Avanesyan was stopped by Crawford in December 2022 and despite the 35-year-old having a completely different fighting style to Crowley, Ennis insists the change of opponent has not affected his preparation.

“It really wasn’t a substantial change,” he added.

“As you know, Crowley is left-handed and Avanesyan is Orthodox.

“But when I’m at camp, I have both styles.

“I have left-handers and right-handers [fighters] in the camp, so it’s not really a substantial change.”

Tyson Fury’s brother Shane Fury has said he hopes the rematch with Oleksandr Usyk will be his last fight.

Fury will be looking to avenge his only loss to Usyk when he faces the Ukrainian for a second time on December 21 in Saudi Arabia.

The ‘Gypsy King’ will be 36 when he returns to the ring, although he is tempted by a long-awaited all-British clash. Anthony Joshua potentially in the works, Shane admits he doesn’t want his brother to box after the rematch.

“I think with the right instruction and the right preparation Tyson can do it,” Fury said IFLTV.

“But it won’t be straightforward at all, it’s number one and two fighting and I hope they manage to win.

“It doesn’t matter if he wins, loses or draws, if he stops him in a round and looks great, or stops him in six rounds and looks great, or loses or draws in a great fight, as a brother I want him to say, ‘See you later in the boxing,’ because that’s all you can do.”

“God willing, if he fights a good fight, and both men shake hands, and both men come out of it fit and forceful, he can spend the money he earned, look back on his career and think, wow!

“Not many people, if any, can appreciate that when you look at the statistics, what happened and what he did.”

Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion by defeating Fury on points on May 18, but later vacated the IBF belt, which will be fought for by Daniel Dubois and Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 21.

Fury endured a disastrous ninth round, with many feeling he was given too much instruction, with head trainer SugarHill Steward, former middleweight world champion Andy Lee and father John Fury all in his corner. Shane feels the same way.

“I agree 100%,” he added.

“My dad wants the best for his sons, and the best thing for his son, after being beaten and almost knocked out, is to facilitate him survive the fight, fuck boxing.

“You can get knocked out and not wake up.

“It’s his mentality because he wants the best for his sons, but sometimes when you want the best for someone, it’s not the best instructions.”