AGRON SMAKICI became a household name after unfortunately cutting Tyson Fury &#8211; but he was already well-respected in boxing circles.
Smakici holds a 20-2 record in the ring but he is a sought after southpaw sparring partner for the likes of Fury and Anthony Joshua.
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/www-instagram-com-anthonyjoshua-880956769.jpg" width="770" height="960" data-src="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/www-instagram-com-anthonyjoshua-880956769.jpg" data-credit="https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjoshua/" data-sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" data-img="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/www-instagram-com-anthonyjoshua-880956769.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=770" />
Anthony Joshua in training to fight Francis NgannouCredit: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjoshua/
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NINTCHDBPICT000880392399.jpg" width="580" height="768" data-src="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NINTCHDBPICT000880392399.jpg" data-credit="" data-sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" data-img="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NINTCHDBPICT000880392399.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=580" />
Tyson Fury before his cancelled fight with Oleksandr Usyk
AJ recruited the Croatian before his 2022 rematch loss to Oleksandr Usyk and for his last fight, a stoppage win over Otto Wallin in December.
Fury then brought Smakici over to Saudi Arabia to help him also prepare for Usyk for the planned February 17 title unification.
But the undisputed bout was scrapped just two weeks prior when Smakici accidentally elbowed Fury in sparring to cause a horror gash.
The heavyweight contender &#8211; who also holds a 1-1 MMA record &#8211; is in the unique position of having sparred Britain&#8217;s two biggest boxing stars.
And breaking down how they compare to SunSport, Smakici said: &#8220;For me, Joshua has huge power. Knockout power.
&#8220;And Fury is a more dancer and technical boxer. It&#8217;s two kinds of worlds in boxing.&#8221;
Joshua, 34, returns on March 8 in Riyadh against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 37.
And Smakici warned: &#8220;It&#8217;s big power, it&#8217;s huge power. We&#8217;re gonna see with Francis Ngannou. I believe Joshua is going to knock Ngannou out.&#8221;
Ngannou put his MMA career on hold last year to cross over to the boxing ring to fight Fury.
And he astonishingly floored the Gypsy King, 35, only to lose a controversial split-decision.
The knockdown and stunning performance convinced AJ to come to the table for another crossover clash.
And Smakici believes Joshua will be on his A-game after watching Fury almost fail the test of Ngannou.
He said: &#8220;I think Joshua will take him much more serious than Tyson Fury, so there&#8217;s a big difference. I go for victory for Anthony Joshua.&#8221;
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Agron Smakici in sparing with Anthony Joshua
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/715803a2-7a4e-45fa-bd17-5edebf7662ed.jpg" width="960" height="533" data-src="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/715803a2-7a4e-45fa-bd17-5edebf7662ed.jpg" data-credit="SunSport " data-sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" data-img="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/715803a2-7a4e-45fa-bd17-5edebf7662ed.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=960" />
Smakici speaking to SunSport in Saudi ArabiaCredit: SunSport
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I’ve sparred Anthony Joshua AND Tyson Fury, they are two different boxers and here’s how they compare