Josh Taylor calls Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury a genuine 50/50

Former undisputed super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor has rated a potential Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury contest as an even fight, despite believing both heavyweights are beyond their best. Taylor also feels the proposed meeting no longer carries the same blockbuster appeal it once had.

Fury returned to action on July 24 in Thailand, stopping Polish veteran Mariusz Wach after seven rounds. Wach did not come out for the next round, giving Fury his first stoppage victory in almost four years.

Joshua fought the following day and produced a more difficult comeback. He was knocked down twice by Kristian Prenga in the opening round, then recovered to stop his opponent in the second.

Taylor viewed Joshua’s response positively after the two knockdowns, but said the incident had changed his assessment of the wider matchup. In his view, both fighters have moved well beyond their peak, reducing the event’s status while leaving the sporting outcome difficult to call.

The former champion still expects a competitive contest and considers the fighters’ chances equal. He remains interested in watching it, although the fight’s appeal has diminished for him compared with the earlier expectation surrounding a meeting between the two former heavyweight champions.

The bout is thought likely to be staged at Madison Square Garden in New York in November. However, its location and announcement remain tied to a contractual dispute. Eddie Hearn has warned that Joshua could be withdrawn if the fight is announced without a fresh agreement, because Joshua’s team has already signed a contract requiring the contest to take place in the United Kingdom.