Anthony Joshua backs 'phenomenal' Oleksandr Usyk to beat Tyson Fury as he reveals hopes for next fight

Anthony Joshua has backed Oleksandr Usyk to beat Tyson Fury next month - and is keen to take on both men in the future after he "steamrolls" his next opponent in September.

The undisputed heavyweight title fight between Usyk and Fury on May 18, live on TNT Sports Box Office, is the biggest of a generation - the first for all the marbles in boxing's glamour division in a quarter of a century.

It was a showdown plagued by failed negotiations before a seemingly-concrete date of February 17 was postponed due to an injury the 'Gypsy King' sustained in sparring.

It led to a new agreement which will see a $10m penalty if either fighter pulls out again.

Fury will defend his WBC crown in Riyadh, while Usyk is putting up his unified WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine straps - the first three of which were wrestled from the hands of Joshua in September 2021.

The Ukrainian delivered a stunning points upset at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before then repeating the feat against a much more impressive Joshua 11 months later in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with Usyk finding barely-believable reserves in the final rounds.

Joshua believes his former opponent will take another win in Saudi Arabia, this time against Fury, and the Watford native is then hunting a trilogy showdown.

He told talkSPORT about Usyk: "Phenomenal fighter, does everything to a tee. He's going to do a really good job. I've never fought Fury so I can't speak on what it's like to face him. I'll have to say Oleksandr Usyk will be victorious.

"Ultimately, it's what the fans want. If the fans want to see it, they'll get it. But for me personally, of course I'd love to compete with Oleksandr Usyk. Let's go, 100%. But I don't think that's the No.1 pick on the fans' wishlist."

The 34-year-old also revealed he is due to take on one of Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang or Filip Hrgovic in September, depending on who impresses most during their appearance on the card on June 1, also live on TNT Sports.

That would set up a return to Wembley for the first time in six years - Joshua's most recent appearance there being a KO triumph over Alexander Povetkin which took his pro record to 22-0. It now stands at 28-3.

Provided he gets through unscathed, the bigger prize could follow against Fury. The two-time world champ continued: "They want that big fight with Tyson Fury.

"[Boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh] is working on it. Fury's got his obligations with Usyk, so I've got to make sure I stay focussed and disciplined. I've got to keep steamrolling through opponents, so I can get closer and closer to fight for the fans, and for myself, against Tyson Fury.

"[My next fight is] some date between September 20-25. Whatever they tell me, you know I'm ready, 100%. It's going to be in London, Wembley Stadium - this is what I'm being told. They usually back their word."

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