I will knock out Anthony Joshua in two rounds – Fury

By Saheed Afolabi

Tyson Fury believes Anthony Joshua has a confidence problem after “shaky performances” and claims he could beat his British rival inside two rounds.

A fight between the two men who hold the four major world heavyweight titles is being negotiated by their teams.

After beating Kubrat Pulev in December, Joshua told reporters he wants to take Fury’s “head off his shoulders”.

Fury, 32, told Fox Miami: “On his last two fights, he’s not in form. On mine, I am, so momentum is with me.”

He added: “I just believe, take him out early – very early – maybe even one round or two rounds.

“I don’t believe he’s as good as people crack him up to be, or he doesn’t believe he is himself.

“He’s got a confidence issue. He’s coming off two shaky performances and boxing is all about who is in form and who isn’t.”

Fury holds the WBC world title, while 31-year-old Joshua has the IBF, WBO, and WBA belts, meaning all four could be contested in a heavyweight fight for the first time.

A percentage split of the money the fight could generate is said to be agreed between the pair.

But there are wider issues to iron out such as where the fight will take place – which will, in turn, impact the level of money made – as well as how rival broadcasters can work together.