Former super-middleweight champion George Groves has delivered a scathing assessment of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury's recent performances, labelling their combined efforts as the "worst advertisement in history" for their long-awaited heavyweight showdown. His remarks follow a weekend of boxing that saw both British former world champions secure wins, but in a manner that has seemingly dampened enthusiasm for their proposed clash.
Joshua's victory on Saturday saw him survive two unexpected first-round knockdowns against the relatively unknown Kristian Prenga before ultimately stopping his opponent in the second round. This concerning display in Jeddah has raised questions about his readiness for a high-stakes encounter. The day prior, Tyson Fury, in a fight that was not broadcast, defeated 46-year-old Mariusz Wach over seven rounds. Groves likened Fury's performance to "two grandads having a punch-up," expressing bewilderment given the ongoing talk of a historic fight.
The bouts were widely considered final warm-ups for the much-anticipated all-British heavyweight clash between Fury, 37, and Joshua, 36. However, Groves, speaking to the Independent, stated that the hype for the "mega-fight" is now far from where it should be. He highlighted Fury's perceived decline, noting that his career and lifestyle appear to be catching up with him, while Joshua's vulnerability against Prenga further complicated the narrative.
Groves, 38, did acknowledge the resilience shown by Joshua to recover from the early knockdowns, but ultimately concluded that both fighters appear to be past their prime. "He's finished, and Tyson Fury's finished," Groves asserted, questioning what more either boxer has left to deliver at an elite level. This sentiment contrasts sharply with the initial excitement surrounding a potential bout that has been mooted for London's Wembley Stadium as early as November.
The former champion also referenced Joshua's previous fight against Jake Paul in December, where he stopped the YouTuber-turned-boxer in six rounds, suggesting that even that contest generated more anticipation for Joshua's future. The current debate around whether the Fury-Joshua fight will be staged in the UK or the US further adds to the uncertainty, with Groves implying that despite the fighters' fame, genuine excitement for the event is now scarce among boxing enthusiasts.