Tony Bellew, the former WBC cruiserweight champion who famously retired in 2018 after a knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk, has made a surprising admission regarding a potential fight with Anthony Joshua. Nearly a decade after ruling out such a matchup due to size concerns, Bellew now says he would step into the ring with the two-time heavyweight champion if he were still competing.

Bellew's change of heart came to light during an appearance on the Fights Your Corner podcast, in partnership with Midnite, where he was asked by former cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson whether he would fight Joshua today. Without hesitation, Bellew replied, “100%. I was adamant I wouldn’t fight him, but now, I would.” He added, “I don’t want to, but I don’t care what anybody says, every man has a price.”

The Background: Bellew’s Initial Refusal

In early 2017, as Anthony Joshua prepared for his historic clash with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium, Bellew was still actively campaigning as a heavyweight after moving up from cruiserweight. At that time, rumors swirled about a potential showdown between the winner of Joshua-Klitschko and Bellew. However, Bellew quickly shut down those talks, claiming Joshua was simply “too big” for him.

“I’m fighting, let’s get it straight, a big cruiserweight, a very small heavyweight,” Bellew said in February 2017. “I’m not big enough, I know I like to kid sometimes and mess around, and I have thought about it—to face the Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko winner. But in all honesty, Anthony is just too big. I think he’s a lovely lad as well. I actually admire him; I’m a fan of Anthony Joshua’s.”

At the time, Bellew was coming off a spectacular victory over David Haye in March 2017, a fight that saw him stop the former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion in the 11th round. That win elevated Bellew’s profile, but he remained realistic about his physique limitations against taller, heavier fighters like Joshua, who stands 6’6” and typically weighs in around 250 pounds.

Bellew’s Career Highlights and Retirement

Tony Bellew compiled a professional record of 30 wins (20 KOs) and 3 losses over 33 fights. He captured the WBC cruiserweight title in May 2016 with a devastating third-round knockout of Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park in Liverpool. That victory earned him widespread acclaim, with Bellew becoming only the second British-born cruiserweight world champion after David Haye.

After moving up to heavyweight, Bellew scored two dominant wins over Haye, the second of which came in May 2018 via a fifth-round stoppage. Those victories set up a potential showdown with Usyk, then the undisputed cruiserweight champion moving up in weight. The fight took place in November 2018 at the Manchester Arena, where Usyk dominated Bellew before knocking him out in the eighth round. Bellew immediately announced his retirement in the ring, stating he had nothing left to prove.

Since retiring, Bellew has stayed involved in boxing as a commentator and analyst, while also venturing into acting. He appeared in the blockbuster movie “Creed III” alongside Michael B. Jordan. His opinions on the current heavyweight landscape have been widely sought, especially given his first-hand experience with Usyk, who has since become the undisputed heavyweight champion by defeating Joshua (twice) and Daniel Dubois.

The Change of Heart: Why Now?

During the podcast, Bellew elaborated on his shift in perspective. “I look at him now, and I just want to help him,” he said, referring to Joshua. “Brendan Ingle would’ve done wonders with AJ. Brendan Ingle trained so many different styles. Everyone thinks Naseem Hammad was a showboater. He was one of the most clinical and aggressive counter-punchers you’ll ever see.”

This comment suggests that Bellew believes Joshua’s current team may not be maximizing his potential. Joshua has faced criticism for his recent performances, including his loss to Usyk in 2022 and a more cautious style since working with trainer Derrick James. Bellew’s admiration for the late Brendan Ingle, who famously trained both Naseem Hamed and Johnny Nelson, indicates he thinks a more unorthodox approach could rejuvenate Joshua.

While Bellew acknowledged he would fight Joshua for a price, he also hinted that his motivation was not purely financial. The former champion seemed nostalgic about his own career and the possibility of having one more big fight. However, he realistically knows that at 43 years old (Bellew is currently 41, but would be older if he returned) and long retired, a fight with Joshua is extremely unlikely to materialize.

Joshua’s Current Status

Anthony Joshua, now 37, is preparing for his next bout against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25, 2026. A victory over the Albanian could set up a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury in Las Vegas, a fight that has been discussed for years. Joshua’s career has been a rollercoaster: he won Olympic gold in 2012, became unified heavyweight champion by beating Klitschko in 2017, and then lost his titles to Usyk in 2021 and 2022. He rebounded with wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius before suffering a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024. However, he has since returned with a victory against Francis Ngannou.

Bellew’s admiration for Joshua is evident, even as he speaks about a hypothetical fight. “I actually admire him; I’m a fan of Anthony Joshua’s,” Bellew reiterated. This respect has not waned over the years, but the competitive fire still burns within the Liverpudlian. “Every man has a price,” he repeated, acknowledging that the offer would have to be substantial to lure him out of retirement.

Reactions from the Boxing World

Bellew’s comments have generated mixed reactions from fans and pundits. Many found it surprising given his previous insistence that Joshua was too big. Others saw it as a sign that Bellew believes Joshua’s current form makes him more beatable. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has not commented on the matter, but sources close to the situation suggest that a Bellew fight was never under serious consideration during either man’s prime.

Former world champion Carl Froch, who has often been critical of Joshua, dismissed Bellew’s remarks as attention-seeking. “Tony’s been retired for years. He’s not going to fight Anthony Joshua. It’s just talk to keep his name in the headlines,” Froch said on his YouTube channel. However, Bellew’s fans appreciated his honesty and willingness to admit he had previously been defensive about his size limitations.

Historical Context: Small Heavyweights vs. Big Heavyweights

Bellew’s initial reluctance to fight Joshua highlights a long-standing dynamic in boxing: cruiserweights moving up to heavyweight often struggle against naturally bigger men. Bellew himself weighed around 210 pounds for his heavyweight fights, while Joshua has often weighed in at 245-250. The size difference is significant, especially in terms of reach and punching power. Bellew’s success against David Haye (who was similarly sized) showed he could compete at the division’s lower end, but Joshua represented a different level of physicality.

Other notable cruiserweights who moved up with mixed success include Evander Holyfield (who became undisputed heavyweight champion), and more recently, Oleksandr Usyk and Jai Opetaia. Bellew’s case is unique because he achieved world title glory at cruiserweight before testing the heavyweight waters, and his willingness to admit his limitations adds a layer of humility to his legacy.

Bellew’s newfound readiness to face Joshua may also reflect changes in the heavyweight division itself. With the rise of Usyk and the decline of older fighters like Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, the landscape is shifting. Bellew might sense that a fight with a slightly older Joshua could be more competitive than it would have been in 2017. However, given the eight-year gap since Bellew last fought, it remains a hypothetical scenario.

What This Means for Bellew’s Legacy

Bellew’s admission does not change his excellent career achievements. He is widely respected for his knockout power, heart, and the way he handled himself against elite opponents. His willingness to change his mind publicly shows a fighter who is comfortable with his legacy and unafraid to speak candidly. Whether or not he ever steps back into the ring, his comments will add another chapter to his fascinating relationship with the sport.

In the end, Tony Bellew’s surprise admission serves as a reminder that in boxing, as in life, opinions can evolve. For now, fans can only imagine what might have been if these two British warriors had ever shared a ring during their primes. But Bellew’s words ensure that the topic will continue to be discussed as both men look back on their storied careers.

Source:SPORTbible News