Fury Showed Nerves Facing Joshua, Expert Says

Tyson Fury showed possible signs of nerves during his first faceoff with Anthony Joshua, according to a body language expert's analysis of their Wednesday press conference.

Body language specialist Inbaal Honigman told Sherdog that Fury exhibited several behaviors suggesting insecurity when the two heavyweights met at Olympia Exhibition Center in London ahead of their Dec. 11 bout at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Honigman pointed to Fury standing on his toes, flexing his fingers repeatedly, and chewing while speaking as red flags. By contrast, she characterized Joshua as calm and collected throughout.

Joshua's Composure Gives Him Mental Edge, Expert Claims

"When they pose side by side, both men appear confident, standing in a solid stance, legs strong, shoulders square, feet shoulder-width apart," Honigman said. "But Fury then engages in some childlike behavior, standing on the tips of his toes and being playful, which shows that he's a little less secure than Joshua."

Honigman noted that Fury's fingers flexed during the staredown and his eyes darted side to side when discussing his opponent. She also observed what appeared to be a tense jaw or gum chewing. Meanwhile, Joshua maintained a peaceful expression and complete physical control, leading Honigman to conclude he holds a mental advantage. "Joshua's serenity means that he's better prepared for the match than Fury is and has a better chance of winning," she said.

Fury rebounded from consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 with an April win over Arslanbek Makhmudov and a July tune-up against Mariusz Wach. Joshua knocked out Jake Paul last year after falling to Daniel Dubois, then survived two early knockdowns against Kristian Prenga before stopping him in round two this July.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Expert says Tyson Fury showed possible nerves next to Anthony Joshua