Deontay Wilder's trainer and former heavyweight boxer, Malik Scott, has made a surprising statement, comparing Anthony Joshua's punching ability to that of the legendary boxer Mike Tyson. This contrasts with the widespread belief that Anthony Joshua has lost some of the explosive power that catapulted him to prominence in the heavyweight division.

Throughout his successful boxing career, the 33-year-old Nigerian-British boxer has recorded 20 knockout victories, including notable wins over Charles Martin, Carlos Takam, and Wladimir Klitschko. However, his first loss came against Joseph Parker in 2018, followed by three more defeats, two decision wins, and just two more knockouts.

Despite the mixed results, Malik Scott, Deontay Wilder's trainer, has acknowledged Anthony Joshua's physical prowess and skillset, drawing unexpected comparisons between AJ and Tyson during an interview with TalkSport. He remarked, "[In the United States], people think he's a big guy with too many muscles. It seems like Stateside, people focus more on his physique than his boxing abilities. In my opinion, Joshua has strung together combinations better than any heavyweight in the last 10-15 years."

Scott continued, "With AJ's build and size, I've seen him put together combinations similar to how a young Mike Tyson delivered his shots."

Malik Scott's comments come shortly after Anthony Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, announced that agreements had been reached for a potential showdown between AJ and Wilder. The bout had been anticipated for several months, with initial speculation of it taking place in Saudi Arabia in December. However, recent reports suggest that the fight might occur in early 2024.

Looking ahead to a potential fight, Deontay Wilder's trainer expressed confidence in his client's ability to thrive in any era of heavyweight boxing, unlike Anthony Joshua. He stated, "I believe that in any era, Deontay Wilder would have made a significant impact, facing fighters like Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. I think he would have been a formidable force in any era. The same goes for Tyson Fury, but I'm not as certain about many other fighters. Oleksandr Usyk, too, is better than he's given credit for."