Oddsmakers Have Fury As Favourite To Beat Joshua

A unification contest between heavyweight world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is set to be a mammoth event in the sport. The two British boxers are set to meet after the pair signed a deal for two fights.

Fury has opened up as the -188 favourite in the first contest according to American Gambler. The WBC champion is unbeaten as a professional. He became a world champion for the second time in his career when he defeated Deontay Wilder in February 2020.

Joshua is the +137 underdog, a position in the betting he will be very unfamiliar with. This will be the first time that the WBA, WBF and WBO champion has not been installed as the favourite in the betting for a professional contest.

No venue or country has been announced for the opening fight yet. Despite both men being from the United Kingdom, the bout could likely come in the Middle East. Matchroom’s Sport promoter Eddie Hearn, who acts for Joshua, has commented an announcement can be expected soon.

He told ESPN’s Mark Kriegel: “We’d like to get a site deal confirmed in the next month. The hard part is always getting everybody to put pen to paper. But this was a major effort from all parties to get this over the line. You had rival promoters, rival networks and rival fighters.”

Fury produced a sensational performance when he stopped Wilder in Las Vegas last year. Victory over Joshua would ensure he is the number one heavyweight in the sport. The 32-year-old would also become the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000.

In what is set to be a fascinating clash in styles, Fury can outbox his rival over 12 rounds and get the decision by the judges’ scorecards. He will be fully aware of the power Joshua has, but just like against Wilder, he can avoid that threat and use the ring to his advantage.

Prediction: Tyson Fury via decision

Fury vs. Joshua Moneyline Odds

Tyson Fury: -188

Anthony Joshua: +137

Odds via Bet365 USA