Joshua’s former trainer predicts KO against Fury
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Robert Garcia, former trainer to Anthony Joshua, predicts Joshua will knock out Tyson Fury if mentally prepared.
- Garcia highlighted Joshua's power, particularly his right hand, as the key to victory but stressed the need for 100% mental and physical readiness.
- The heavyweight showdown is targeted for October, potentially at Wembley Stadium and streamed on Netflix, pending Joshua's July 25 warm-up fight.
The highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is already generating significant buzz, with Robert Garcia, who previously trained Joshua for his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, offering a bold prediction. Garcia believes Joshua possesses the power to knock Fury out cold, provided he arrives at the fight mentally and physically prepared. He specifically pointed to Joshua's formidable right hand as the decisive weapon, stating, "With that right hand, if AJ lands, he will knock him out cold."
If AJ is mentally ready, I think that AJ has the skills and the power to win. He has the right hand to knock him out, but he has got to be mentally and physically 100 per cent. Physically, I know that he is always ready — AJ is always in shape. He trains hard and was dedicated when I was with him.
However, Garcia also issued a crucial caution, acknowledging Fury's unpredictable nature. "Fury is a street guy. He doesn’t give a damn. He could come in heavy and fat, but he is still going to give a good fight," he remarked. This highlights the psychological battle that often accompanies such high-stakes bouts. While Joshua is known for his physical conditioning, Fury's ability to perform regardless of his physical state adds a layer of uncertainty that cannot be ignored. The mental fortitude of both fighters will undoubtedly be as critical as their physical prowess.
Fury is a street guy. He doesn’t give a damn. He could come in heavy and fat, but he is still going to give a good fight.
From the perspective of The Punch (NG), this fight is more than just a boxing match; it's a major event for British boxing. The potential October date, the preferred venue at Wembley Stadium, and the confirmed Netflix streaming deal underscore the global appeal. Crucially, the bout hinges on Joshua successfully navigating his July 25 warm-up fight against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh. Garcia's insights, while optimistic for Joshua, serve as a reminder that the path to this mega-fight is paved with necessary steps and potential challenges, making the outcome anything but a foregone conclusion.
With that right hand, if AJ lands, he will knock him out cold. And he gets hit with a lot of right hands.
Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.