Bellew argued that the version of Fury who beat Deontay Wilder in their second fight would have stopped Makhmudov instead of settling for a decision.
“I think the Fury going into the rematch with Wilder is getting rid of Makhmudov,” Bellew said. Fight your Corner podcast. “I think he’s stepping on him, and I think he’s just not stopping.”
Froch agreed that Fury had slipped, estimating that the former heavyweight champion is now “seven out of 10” compared to his peak years.
The two also questioned how much the long-awaited Fury-Joshua fight still means in 2026 after both fighters suffered losses and lost their undefeated aura.
“They both passed the best,” Froch said. “They are both beaten. There are no world titles on the line.”
Bellew agreed that the fight no longer had the same feel it would have in 2019 or 2020, although he still expects it to sell out Wembley Stadium.
The sharpest comment came when the discussion turned to legacy.
“I think it would destroy Tyson Fury to be completely honest,” Bellew said when asked who needs the fight more.
Bellew argued that Joshua’s commercial standing in Britain is already secure regardless of future losses, while Fury historically has more to lose if he falls short in the rivalry.
At the same time, Bellew warned against dismissing Joshua completely. He said the former two-time heavyweight champion still has the physical tools to stop anyone if he commits offensively instead of thinking in the ring.
“The only thing I can fully commit to and put my hand on my heart and say I really think is going to happen is that it’s not going to go far,” Bellew said of a Fury-Joshua fight.
The fight is expected to take place later this year after both heavyweights took interim fights.
