Derek Chisora believes Anthony Joshua will be in trouble if the Tyson Fury, who dismantled Deontay Wilder in their second fight, returns on December 11. Joshua’s recent punch resistance concerns raise another possibility: Fury might not need to be that good.
The Fury who stopped Wilder in 2020 produced his most devastating performance. He pushed Wilder backward and clubbed him with right hands, maintaining an aggression that the American could neither contain nor escape. Fury has not looked that destructive since.
“If that Tyson comes in the ring, it’s game over for us,” Chisora said in the clip to Ring Magazine. “He’s going to be on fire.”
Chisora is using a demanding yardstick. That performance combined Fury’s size, physical strength, and willingness to attack with the confidence to keep throwing against a dangerous puncher. Reproducing it nearly seven years later is a considerable expectation.
But Joshua’s ability to absorb punishment could make the comparison less reassuring for his supporters. His stoppage defeat against Daniel Dubois raised serious questions about what happens when an opponent lands hard and keeps attacking before he can recover.
Fury would not necessarily need to overwhelm Joshua for several rounds. A clean right hand could create an opening, and following up quickly could prevent Joshua from getting the time he needs to regain his balance and composure. The danger is how Joshua responds once he is hurt.
There is a risk for Fury, too. Advancing against Joshua means entering range of a heavyweight who can land damaging right hands and uppercuts himself. Fury cannot assume that the approach which worked against Wilder will produce the same result against a different opponent.
Chisora’s warning nevertheless leaves Joshua with an uncomfortable question. Preparing for Fury’s best is sensible, but Joshua must also show that he can withstand the ordinary version’s power. Fury could fall short of his spectacular 2020 performance and still be dangerous enough to finish the fight.
