Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua’s promoter, claims that the British-Nigerian fighter is willing to fight Tyson Fury immediately if Fury’s proposed meeting with Oleksandr Usyk is canceled. Joshua could fight Fury this year.
After Joshua’s second defeat to Usyk in August, there were talks about meeting Fury, but the Gypsy King ended up facing Derek Chisora on his return to the ring in December, and Joshua will face Jermaine Franklin in April.
According to reports, a deal to fight Fury and Usyk in the same month is close to being made. However, Joshua’s promoter Hearn is waiting in the wings in the event that no deal can be made.
“I’m happy to make Joshua and Fury now for the summer, regardless of whether Fury wins against Usyk or loses,”
“Our message to team Fury is that we’ll make the fight now, for right after the Franklin fight, if the Usyk fight doesn’t happen. The fight with Joshua will grant Tyson Fury the payoff he desires, regardless of how Tyson Fury views the situation. He is a great fighter and has every right to want to make as much money as possible.
The fight with Joshua surpasses all previous records. We’re prepared for Joshua if they want it, though I know their focus is on making the Usyk fight.
Wembley Stadium is now considered to be the most likely venue for the Fury-Usyk fight, despite the initial suggestion that Saudi Arabia host the event. Hearn believes that the absence of Joshua has hindered the fighters’ efforts to secure support from the Middle East.
They obviously went to the Middle East to get that money, but they didn’t succeed because Anthony Joshua didn’t fight in that fight, so they went to Wembley,” Hearn said.
“I don’t know how they get the numbers Fury will need for that fight, but if they can, that’s brilliant. I hope it gets made for boxing because it’s good for the sport whenever there is a clear winner and loser.
“If it does come home, it will be tremendous for British boxing,” despite the fact that “they failed in their attempt to secure a big Middle East fight or whatever has happened.”