Hearn Says Fury Afraid To Lose Joshua Fight

Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury is fearful of losing to Anthony Joshua and relies on mental warfare to shore up his own confidence.

Hearn, who promotes Joshua, told Fight Your Corner that while Fury maintains public bravado, the former champion privately understands the physical threat Joshua poses when the two British heavyweights finally meet. "I wouldn't say fighters are ever scared but I think he's fearful of Anthony Joshua," Hearn said, per The Ring. "I think he's afraid to lose but he knows the physical presence of Joshua as well."

Fury's Mind Games Ahead Of Joshua Clash

Fury has ramped up the trash talk during negotiations, recently posting that Joshua is scared and promising a quick finish. Hearn expects the psychological tactics to intensify as the fight nears. He argues Fury uses the bluster not just to needle Joshua but to convince himself. "It's a game plan," Hearn said. "Any advantage that he can get, he's going to try because that's what he's like."

Hearn suggested Fury may have been emboldened by Joshua being dropped twice in the opening round of his July 25 stoppage win over Kristian Prenga. Still, Hearn thinks Fury recognizes the danger. "They'll think hang on, oh he got dropped by Prenga, he's not the fighter he was, but he's still got the physicality and it will be a handful for him," Hearn said.

The fight remains officially unannounced. Fury carries a 36-2-1 record with 25 knockouts. Joshua is 30-4 with 27 stoppages.

Source: ringmagazine.com