Agit Kabayel Picks Tyson Fury to Beat Anthony Joshua

Agit Kabayel is predicting Tyson Fury to beat Anthony Joshua, but the heavyweight contender's pick is built on a version of Fury that no longer exists.

Kabayel sparred with Fury back in 2016, when Fury was a fleet-footed, feinting puzzle of a heavyweight rather than the stationary operator he has become. "The better boxer, the better boxing IQ [is with] Fury," Kabayel told The Ring. "But only one guy in the heavyweight division can beat the guys with one hand. This is Anthony Joshua. I think Fury will win the fight. Points, KO, but we will see. My prediction is with Fury."

Why Kabayel's Comparison Is Lopsided

Kabayel's own history with these two men undercuts his logic. He told The Ring that his toughest sparring ever came against Fury, but he met Fury in 2016 as a raw, inexperienced heavyweight, three years before he squared off with a fully formed Joshua in 2019. That gap matters. Kabayel is essentially comparing an unfinished version of one fighter to the finished product of the other, then using that mismatch to forecast a fight happening nearly a decade later.

Fury's recent form tells a different story than the one Kabayel is leaning on. The back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, followed by unconvincing wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach, point to a fighter getting by on size and name recognition rather than the explosive footwork and angles that made him so hard to hit in his prime. His last truly dominant performance remains the 2020 demolition of Deontay Wilder. Everything since has trended the other way.

None of that erases Fury's advantages. His length, ring craft, and ability to force opponents to think are real tools, and Kabayel is right that Fury has more ways to win a decision or steal rounds than most heavyweights in the division. The question is whether a heavier, less mobile Fury can still execute that game plan against a puncher like Joshua, who only needs one clean shot to end a night.

What This Means for the Betting Market

Fury-Joshua matchups always draw heavy public money toward whichever man looks sharper in his last outing, and scouting reports like Kabayel's tend to move recreational betting interest even when they're built on dated information. Bettors should weigh Fury's ring IQ and experience against the very real decline in his mobility and output since the Usyk fights. Joshua's one-punch power makes him live in every betting line regardless of who is favored, and fading a Fury price that's inflated by reputation rather than recent tape could be where the actual value sits once oddsmakers set a number.

Kabayel's pick is worth noting given his first-hand experience with both men, but it's a reminder that scouting reports age just like fighters do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Agit Kabayel think will beat Anthony Joshua?

Agit Kabayel predicts Tyson Fury will beat Anthony Joshua, saying Fury has superior boxing IQ and more paths to victory, including by decision or knockout.

Why is Agit Kabayel's Tyson Fury pick considered questionable?

Kabayel's prediction is based on sparring with Tyson Fury in 2016, when Fury was far more mobile, while Kabayel didn't face Anthony Joshua until 2019 as a more developed fighter, making the comparison uneven.

How has Tyson Fury performed recently?

Tyson Fury has lost back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk and posted unconvincing wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach, a step down from his dominant 2020 win over Deontay Wilder.