For years now, both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua stomped around the UK - bragging, boasting, and telling all who would listen that they’re the best man around.

Both men had the credentials - big-time wins and world titles to back their claims. But when it came to finally settling it in the ring, their showdown never came to fruition.

Now, it appears they’ll get it on. Currently ranked No. 1 and 7 by The Ring, both Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) and Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) have seemingly circled each other long enough. But while fans will still cram into any arena to see them box, former WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew is a bit disappointed.

“Everyone wants to see it,” Bellew told iFL TV. “The sad part is that it will be when both are just slightly past their sell-by date, by the looks of it.”

Fury, after coming short against Oleksandr Usyk in early 2024, ran things immediately back. The result however, remained the same as he lost yet another close decision last month. Joshua has already suffered a pair of defeats by Usyk and is coming off a back-breaking loss against Daniel Dubois, thoroughly dominated and brutally stopped in the fifth round on September 21.

With little to no options for both and a bag full of money possibly waiting on them, Bellew is confident that 2025 will be the year that the United Kingdom gets the fight they’ve wanted for a while.

Bellew, of course, will be watching regardless. But something isn’t sitting right with him. A showdown between Joshua and Fury reminds him of something. No, it’s not the all-time classic that took place between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. It also doesn’t scream Hagler vs. Hearns.

After spending a bit more time thinking about it, Bellew has his answer. Fury vs. Joshua in 2025, in his opinion, is eerily similar to a certain megafight that simply never lived up to the hype.

"It looks like it’s going to be Mayweather vs Pacquiao all over again."