Johnny Nelson Picks Fury Over Joshua After AJ's Scary Night in Saudi

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury both got their hands raised over the weekend, but only one of them left Johnny Nelson convinced. The former WBO cruiserweight champion has swung his pick toward Fury for the two Brits' looming November grudge match, and it's Joshua's shaky night in Saudi Arabia that tipped the scales.

Joshua, now 29-4 with 26 knockouts, dispatched Albania's Kristian Prenga inside two rounds atop a pay-per-view bill. The result flatters the reality. AJ was dropped twice in the opening round and took a standing count, looking every bit like a man whose chin isn't what it once was before he rescued the night with a fast finish.

Fury's evening was quieter but cleaner. The #3-ranked heavyweight, now 36-2-1 (25 KO), fought for the second time in 2026 against 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand. It was a slow, forgettable affair — Fury swept every round before Wach's corner pulled him out after the seventh.

Why Nelson Leans Fury

Nelson, speaking to Sky Sports, called himself an AJ fan but said he can't ignore what he saw. He pointed to the uppercut that caught Joshua inside and the follow-up that pinned him on the ropes, arguing those are exactly the kind of shots Fury throws naturally. Give Joshua the edge in heart and desire, Nelson said, but on the evidence of both weekend performances he's siding with Fury's boxing and fluidity.

The Venue Fight Nobody Asked For

The bout is believed to be locked in for November, with the location the only real mystery — and it's not looking good for British fans. New York City is understood to be the frontrunner, and Nelson doesn't expect that to change. He said the fight should happen in the UK but won't, because the money and the target audience both point stateside, and that's where the paymasters want it.

There's plenty riding on this beyond the paycheck. Both men are two-time heavyweight world champions, and this could double as the career finale for each. Full details are expected in the coming weeks. Until then, the debate is open — but Nelson's already made up his mind.