Tyson Fury expects 'improved' Deontay Wilder to knock out Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury believes WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has improved a lot, predicting that he would knock out Anthony Joshua in a potential title unification bout in 2018.

Joshua is expected to defend his WBA and IBF heavyweight titles against Wilder in a title unification fight sometime in 2018, having most recently defended against Carlos Takam on 28 October in controversial fashion.

The promoters of the two unbeaten heavyweights even met in New York recently and were said to have had positive talks, according to Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn.

However, there has been no update since with Hearn instead seeming likely to book a fight with another unbeaten champion in WBO title-holder Joseph Parker.

Wilder, as a result, believes Joshua is scared of him, claiming that the Briton's camp wants one more payday before possibly losing to him.

Fury, the former unified heavyweight champion, also believes that Joshua will lose to Wilder, as he claims the American has improved "a hell of a lot" and predicted a knockout win against "AJ".

"He [Wilder] has improved a lot, a hell of a lot," Fury told the White Rhino Fightcast Podcast. "I do think he's an awesome puncher and he's a good boxer, and he's awkward."

"Very awkward kind of character and I think he'll do a lot of damage to a lot of people. I think Wilder will knock him out.

"Purely and simply because Wilder can move and punch on the move, and Joshua stands still and takes big shots on the gloves."

As for Fury, the "Gypsy King" himself is also looking to fight Joshua sometime in the future as he seeks a return to the ring for the first time since November 2015.

Having signed an advisory deal with boxing management company MTK Global, Fury is edging closer to a return with the 29-year-old back in the gym, as well as awaiting the UK Anti-Doping body hearing set for December which will decide if he gets his boxing license back.