Jordan questioned Joshua’s résumé, backed Tyson Fury as the better heavyweight, and downplayed the sporting value of a future showdown
Simon Jordan believes Anthony Joshua’s reputation has exceeded what he achieved in the ring, despite the former champion winning world titles twice. The broadcaster said Tyson Fury was always the better heavyweight and questioned whether Joshua’s résumé supports the praise he has received throughout his career.
Jordan questioned whether Joshua’s record matched the status he has carried throughout much of his professional career.
“Anthony, with all due respect to him and his achievements, has been built up to a higher level than he’s actually at,” said Simon on talkSport Boxing.
Jordan said he has long viewed Tyson Fury as the superior fighter and revisited criticism he has made previously about Joshua’s résumé and standing within the sport.
“I’ve always talked about Tyson Fury being the better fighter and looked at Anthony Joshua and often said that I felt he was a flat track bully.”
Jordan pointed to several of Joshua’s biggest wins and defeats while questioning whether those performances supported the level of praise he has received during his career.
Trainer Peter Fury offered a more measured assessment. While praising Joshua’s accomplishments as a two-time heavyweight champion, he suggested the former champion relied heavily on his natural power and did not always maximize his technical ability.
“I think where Joshua’s lacked a bit is that he’s relied too much on that. He’s looking for that one shot all the time, which then, if you’re looking for that one shot, your boxing slips,” said Peter.
Joshua returns on July 25 against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia. A two-fight agreement for a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury has already been signed, provided both men come through their scheduled bouts.
Jordan later described a Fury-Joshua showdown as “a race to the bank,” arguing that the commercial appeal now outweighs its sporting significance.
