Billy Joe Saunders backs Tyson Fury to beat Anthony Joshua

The proposed Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight is scheduled for 20 November, although both the date and venue remain unsettled. Fury is 38 and has no objection to Madison Square Garden hosting the contest, while Joshua’s agreement requires the event to take place in the United Kingdom.

Billy Joe Saunders has given Fury the advantage in what he views as a late-career meeting between two experienced heavyweights. The former two-weight world champion believes the outcome will depend more on intelligence and composure than on which fighter prepares hardest or arrives in better physical condition.

Saunders remains wary of Joshua despite favouring Fury. He feels Joshua did not look convincing in his latest bout, when he was knocked down twice by Kristian Prenga before stopping him in the second round. However, Joshua’s finish reaffirmed to Saunders that the British heavyweight still carries fight-changing power.

Fury also had questions to answer after his most recent appearance. He stopped Mariusz Wach in the seventh round, but Saunders felt the champion was vulnerable to the right hand during that performance. Even so, Saunders believes Fury’s technical ability gives him the stronger case in the proposed bout.

The location has remained a major issue around the fight. Promoter Eddie Hearn has said Joshua’s contract stipulates a British venue, while Fury’s original agreement apparently did not include a location preference. Netflix and event financiers Sela are seeking to stage the contest at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The long-awaited meeting has not yet been secured for the proposed date, but Saunders has already made his choice. His view is that Fury’s boxing skills can overcome Joshua’s finishing threat if the two eventually meet.