Hearn: Joshua Vs. Fury ‘In Early 2025 Is The Fight’
Eddie Hearn is discussing a future fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
The fight has been entertained for some time, making it the most significant domestic clash. Joshua takes on Daniel Dubois in his next fight to become the IBF Heavyweight Champion. A win makes him a three-time world champion and a mandatory for the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk. Fury has the rematch on December 21 after having lost the first fight in a split decision.
Despite it being close on the scorecards, the perception was that Usyk had dominated the fight. Aside from the middle rounds, Usyk was the far better fighter. He almost knocked out Fury in round nine, only for the referee to impose a standing eight-count instead. But if Joshua and Fury win their next fights, then they will be on course to box each other for undisputed. Hearn says it is the biggest fight out there.
Hearn Reacts
“Joshua against Tyson Fury in early 2025 is the fight that we have a responsibility to deliver and we don’t walk away from our responsibilities. Yes, I think it’s all of our duty, those involved [to make AJ-Fury even if Fury is beaten again by Usyk.] We have to keep delivering the very best product.
“We need to do that fight. I think personally that Usyk beats Fury in the rematch. It’s easier to make if Fury beats Usyk, because then if Joshua has beaten Daniel Dubois you’ve got the unification fight because Joshua will hold the IBF belt. There is no bigger fight in the world still than Fury and AJ,” Hearn said
Nevertheless, the fight is not as big as it could have been. Joshua and Fury could have boxed each other when they were undefeated. However, Joshua lost to Andy Ruiz Jr. before winning the belts back. As he did so, he suffered two consecutive bouts against Usyk. Since then, Joshua has returned stronger, stopping Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou in his last bouts after working with Ben Davidson.
Meanwhile, Fury is coming off his first loss to Usyk.
Will It Happen?
Another defeat to the Ukrainian will damage his brand, raising question marks over whether he should retire. The fight is now seen as a 50-50, with some even favoring Joshua. It is commercially the biggest fight that can be made, with multiple venues capable of selling it out in either Saudi or the UK. Hearn will understandably back Joshua to win since he promotes him.
The magnitude of the fight means that it should go ahead regardless of the competing networks and promoters involved. Fury had made two previous offers to Joshua, but the fight never got made. This time around, Hearn expects it to be different.
“It’s the one the world’s waiting for. There isn’t a venue big enough to stage the number of people that would like to attend that. It will be colossal,” Hearn stated
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