Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, says the British‑Nigerian could fight Tyson Fury this year and is ready to make the bout happen immediately if Fury’s proposed meeting with Oleksandr Usyk falls through. After Joshua’s second defeat to Usyk last August, talks began about a possible clash with Fury. However, the Gypsy King returned to the ring in December to face Derek Chisora, while Joshua is scheduled to fight Jermaine Franklin in April.
A deal for Fury and Usyk to meet in the same month is reportedly close to being agreed, but Hearn remains on standby should an agreement not be reached. “I’m happy to make Joshua and Fury right now for the summer, whether Fury wins or loses against Usyk,” Hearn told BBC Sport. “If the Usyk fight doesn’t get made, our message to team Fury is that we’ll make the fight now, for straight after the Franklin fight. Whatever way Tyson Fury looks at it, the fight with Joshua will give him the payday he wants. He wants to make as much money as possible, and rightfully so, he’s a fantastic fighter. The fight with Joshua breaks all records. I understand their focus is to make the Usyk fight, but we’re ready if they want Joshua.”
While Saudi Arabia was initially suggested as a possible location for the Fury‑Usyk fight, Wembley Stadium now appears to be the most likely venue. Hearn believes the absence of Joshua has hurt the fighters’ attempts to secure backing from the Middle East. “They’ve obviously gone to the Middle East to get that money, and failed because Anthony Joshua is not involved in that fight, and now they’ve gone to Wembley,” he said. “I don’t know how they get the numbers that Fury will demand for that fight, but if they can, brilliant. Hopefully for boxing it gets made because any time there’s an undisputed clash it’s great for the sport. It doesn’t matter if they failed in their attempt to secure a big Middle East fight or whatever has happened, it’s tremendous for British boxing if it does come home.”
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