The biggest fight in boxing!

The biggest fight in boxing – a collision course and rivalry that’s gained momentum for the best part of a decade. And whilst some of boxing’s biggest showdowns are inevitable, this one gave us every reason to believe otherwise. Impressively, their last outings showed roles reversed as the bee [Joshua] floated like a butterfly [against Ruiz] and the butterfly [Fury] stung like a bee [versus Wilder]. Factors that helped build an all British megafight into an era-defining opportunity. So with legacy on the line, the spotlight now burns down onto a clash of character, an absorbing narrative, and onto two of sports most prominent figures.

Lats December, the wheels were in motions for Fury’s most dedicated, airtight, training camp. And where almost all media distractions had been cut, one surprising offer [to spar Joshua] seemed to slip through the cracks. Despite the hype, nothing materialized. Though what we did see was a new wave of curiosity and speculation regarding a potential megafight, however, it certainly wouldn’t have been the first meeting between the two inside the ropes.

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Looking back almost a decade ago to when the first seeds were planted, Britain’s heavyweight landscape was almost unrecognizable to that of today. David Haye had moved up from cruiserweight and taken his first few scalps in boxing’s top tier. And with Chisora also on the fringes, it was instead the rangy and heavyhanded David Price that stood alongside Fury as Britain’s hottest heavyweight prospect. At this stage, Anthony Joshua was only 3 years into any kind of boxing training but he was moving quickly, securing a national title which earnt him a place on the GB team. However, whilst his actions under the bright lights were earning him invaluable experience, it was his actions behind the scenes in sparring the likes of Tyson Fury, that began sending out the real warning signals.

Fast forward 3 years, the Gypsy King has racked up almost 20 victories on his route through the domestic scene. Slick performances backed up by unwavering confidence and verification as the division’s boogeyman by the late and great Emanuel Steward. “Tyson Fury has the ability and I think in my expectations, he will be the next superstar, dominant heavyweight. Much along the lines of Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko.”

Though where Price had met his nemesis in Tony Thompson, suffering back to back losses, it was now the arrival of Joshua. The chiseled, squeaky-clean gold medalist, that would throw a spanner in the works. A man who pairing with hotshot promoter Eddie Hearn looked to leapfrog all of Fury’s efforts with a slipstream towards a world title. “He has all the attributes, all the minerals to be a fantastic fighter. Can he go to win a world title – I believe so, but we’ve got a huge journey ahead of us.”

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Whilst there weren’t many harsh words early on, the contrast in personalities and appeal told us it would only be a matter of time. As time progressed, the narrative developed. AJ’s positivity and family-friendly appeal turned him into boxing’s new heavyweight hero. Whilst Fury’s antics and unpredictability helped construct the perfect anthem on billing. Though whilst their paths didn’t look to be crossing anytime soon, both men had their critics. Joshua was considered too big and muscle-bound whereas Fury was apparently too clumsy and overweight. Insults that each would use as ammunition towards one another. Fortunately, with their own scintillating styles, they continued to prove people wrong. Despite the Gypsy King putting on boxing clinics, delivering systematic breakdowns, he slowly fell into the London fighters shadow as with his exciting style and polished charm, Joshua drew a far wider audience, one that extended far beyond the boxing purists that was of course until Fury backed up every single word out in Dusseldorf [against Klitschko].

We all know how the story went and where Fury’s biggest victory encourage his toughest downfall – it gave AJ an opportunity to capitalize. A 2-year window in which the Brit faced all comers, taking out a handful of top 10 names. We often see fighters jumping in too far at the deep end to face an eventual reality check, but Joshua stepped up to the plate each time out, cementing himself as the division’s number 1. Though with Fury gone there was one fight which appealed to the public more than any other, one that drew more criticism and frustration as negotiations continued to fall through.

That was of course until another remarkable turn of events occurred. An inspirational return to the sport and an opportunity to face one of the most dangerous men the sport has ever produced to reclaim his crown. In the last 18 months, both men in different forms have taken dents to their records. Joshua’s came in the form of a loss to Andy Ruiz last July, whereas Fury’s came 6 months after in the form of a controversial draw against the Bronze Bomber. Equally and most crucially, both men showed the ability to persevere, to sacrifice, and to adapt, as in their latest bouts the question marks were removed in emphatic style.

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Though here the narrative flips on its head as Joshua’s introduction of slick footwork and fluid movement is now overshadowed by Fury’s newfound ability to produce explosive power and front foot aggression. The switch of style now turns this showdown into a survival of the fittest and creates what is arguable an even bigger fight than Joshua Wilder in the process. Despite mutual respect between the two, both men are supremely confident and have no problem reminding us. Fury not only overcame Wilder but outclassed and bulldozed him whereas Joshua totally nullified an even bigger version of Ruiz who barely raised an eyebrow all night.

How AJ will cope with the mind games in the press conferences will be a huge factor and how Fury will cope against a bigger and stronger opponent will be another. Though the tactics are what turned this showdown into a true 50/50 and which version of themselves arrives on the night will make all the difference. The best of enemies, Fury’s bravery, and willingness to test himself has reopened the floodgates in boxing’s premier division and a two-fight deal has apparently been agreed as negotiations continue. Though with legacy on his mind since day one, Joshua’s whole career has lead to this moment. In a sport that features two men competing at their most primal level, it’s unavoidable that personal rivalry would become a driving force.

Now we see the sports most influential, big game players collide, giants both physically and metaphorically. And where fans are often too quick to draw comparisons between great fighters of the past to those of today, crowning the winner of a heavyweight unification bout in the coming 12 months might just be the perfect time to do so.

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