Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is in no doubt that Oleksandr Usyk will see off Tyson Fury once and for all.

Joshua feels the first undisputed world heavyweight champion of the four-belt era will repeat his success against Fury in their December 21 rematch. 'The Cat' clawed his way to victory when they first met in May, earning a split decision in Riyadh to end the latter's undefeated career and preserve his.

And boxing star Joshua reckons it'll be a similar story in the second salvo. The 35-year-old has felt Usyk's skills first-hand after suffering two decision defeats to the Ukrainian, while he has held a longstanding rivalry with Fury for the better part of a decade - albeit never in the ring.

READ MORE: Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard fight cancelled with just two weeks to go

READ MORE: Mike Tyson says he 'didn't understand' what played out in Jake Paul fight

"I think it’s going to be a tough fight early on, and then I feel like Usyk will edge it again," he told Queensberry Promotions, via Business Day, without hesitation.

Usyk and Fury were initially scheduled to meet for their rematch in October before a delay led to the fight being postponed. A Fury win next Saturday would inevitably lead to a trilogy decider, but Joshua is confident that outcome won't be required.

"He’s a class operator," added Joshua in praise of the man who beat him in back-to-back fights across 2021 and 2022. "So I think Usyk’s one of the best out there. That’s why I think he’ll win."

'AJ' was decisively outclassed by Usyk when they first met at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021. Joshua lost the IBF, WBO, IBO and WBA (Super) heavyweight titles on home soil before narrowing the gap in their Jeddah rematch almost one year later - though not enough to change the end result.

After suffering a shock fifth-round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September, the prospects for Joshua seem somewhat dim. However, a second Fury defeat to Usyk could potentially open the door to 'The Gypsy King' finally facing him in an all-British affair boxing fans have lusted after for years.

With the added insight of having felt Usyk's fury himself, Joshua holds no reservations about who will leave Riyadh as undisputed champion later this month. And it could lead to two of Britain's best fighters of this generation finally facing off with one another.