‘Losing was the best thing to ever happen to Anthony Joshua’, claims David Haye

Haye believes defeat against Andy Ruiz Jr has transformed Joshua into an altogether better fighter

David Haye believes losing was “the best thing to ever happen” to Anthony Joshua and will give the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion "a slight edge" over Tyson Fury if the pair meet in 2021.

Joshua, who defends his belts against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday, was left soul searching after a harrowing defeat by late replacement Andy Ruiz Jr in New York last year.

However, the Briton recovered excellently to reclaim his titles in Saudi Arabia with a dominant points decision and Haye believes defeat has forced Joshua to become an altogether better fighter.

READ MORE: Joshua re-enters heavyweight soap opera with everything to lose

"I think that was the best thing to ever happen to Anthony Joshua," Haye told Sky Sports.

Anthony Joshua suffers his first professional loss against Andy Ruiz Jr (Getty Images)

"I think he's going to become the fighter he was always going to be, because he's got that taste of defeat and he doesn't like that.

"None of us winners like that taste of defeat and if there's anything humanly possible to get back into your winning run, no matter how hard you have to dedicate yourself, what type of sparring, what type of pain behind the scenes, you don't want that feeling of a loss.

"It's been a long, long time since Tyson Fury had the taste of a loss. A very, very long time. Many years. Anthony Joshua knows what it feels like recently, so I think that gives him a slight edge.

"It sounds crazy. I think that gives him an edge, because he doesn't want to rely on his natural attributes. He wants to make sure he wins this fight.'

Fury, the WBC champion, remains unbeaten as a professional and a two-fight deal is in place for 2021 between the two Brits for what surely be a record-breaking undisputed fight.

But Haye insists that, while Fury may be seen as a favourite, Joshua still hasn't reached his true potential and should be written off "at your peril". 

Anthony Joshua faces Kubrat Pulev on Saturday evening (AFP via Getty Images)

The former heavyweight and cruiserweight champion, though, also warned that Pulev will be no stepping stone for Joshua on Saturday and is capable of ruining the best-laid plans.

"This is a serious test for him now, Kubrat Pulev, and then it's the big one," Haye said. "Then it's the Tyson Fury fight and I think there is only one guy in the world who the oddsmakers will give a legitimate chance of beating Tyson Fury. That's someone as powerful, as strong, as fast, as motivated as Anthony Joshua.

"He will be the underdog in that fight, but write Anthony Joshua off at your peril. I don't think we've seen the best of Anthony Joshua yet. I think over the next three years the real Anthony Joshua will come out.

"He came to boxing late. He hasn't been boxing since he was a little kid, like Tyson Fury. He's had to fast-track himself and there have been gaps as he's been fast-tracking himself, so he's now filling these gaps in."