Dave Allen backs Tyson Fury to stop Anthony Joshua early, drawing on his experience sparring both heavyweights and his concern over Joshua’s punch resistance. The timing of those gym sessions is unclear, however, leaving questions about how closely they reflect either fighter’s current form.
“The Prenga fight, Joshua’s punch resistance looks to be all gone,” Allen told talkSPORT’s The Verdict with heavyweight Frazer Clarke. He also acknowledged that Joshua could knock Fury out.
Allen has felt both men’s power and tested himself against their timing in sparring, giving him a useful basis for judging the matchup. We don’t know how long ago those sessions took place, though, and he hasn’t revealed which fighter gave him more trouble.
If Joshua can no longer recover quickly from a hard shot, Fury has a reason to attack early. One clean punch could leave Joshua vulnerable to a follow-up barrage before he gets his legs back.
The question is whether Fury still has the speed and reactions to exploit that weakness without getting caught himself.
Fury’s appearance gives the impression that he has aged considerably over the last three years. Appearance alone cannot establish what he has left, but his reactions, balance, and ability to recover are just as important to this matchup as Joshua’s punch resistance. Allen’s sparring memories from an era when Fury had functioning legs solve none of those mysteries.
Marching into the pocket would put both heavyweights in immediate risk. If Fury rushes to wipe Joshua out, he comes directly into the path of a fresh, explosive right hand. Bullying Joshua toward the ropes without a tight guard or a blinding jab invites disaster, because Joshua throws his best counters off the back foot.
Fury could finish Joshua early, as Allen expects, but forcing the pace would put him within reach of Joshua’s right hand. If he rushes in carelessly, Joshua may land first.