Hearn Interested In Immediate Joshua-Fury Bout
One of the most highly-anticipated fights that fans want for boxing’s heavyweight division is Anthony Joshua v. Tyson Fury. That became apparent after Fury’s dominant win over Deontay Wilder in their February rematch. Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn is willing to do whatever it takes to get that fight to happen.
Speaking With Sky Sports, Hearn discussed the potential of the fight. He also talked about how the coronavirus is impacting the boxing world. Several fights have had to be postponed due to the virus, joining a variety of combat sports events. A bout that is in question is Joshua (23-1) v. Kubrat Pulev, set to take place on June 20.
“I think when you look at AJ, I think very much it’s a thought that’s crossed my mind,” Hearn stated. “We’ve got June 20 as a pencilled date for Anthony Joshua. We will make a statement potentially this week, or maybe early next week, that’s likely to be delayed. I think that’s pretty straightforward and obvious. Hopefully until the end of July.”
Hearn was hoping that Joshua would be able to fight more than once this year, the other fight against Fury. The lineal heavyweight champion is currently scheduled to face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy fight. This is after Wilder exercised his rematch clause. Initially set for July, the bout was moved to October as a precaution. Now, Hearn is looking to work around this fight to get to the big one.
With everything changing due to COVID-19, Hearn had a suggestion on how a profit can be made, no matter the decision.
“The situation is a little bit out of our hands in that, if Bob Arum and Al Haymon can talk and make Deontay Wilder wait a little bit, we would absolutely love to go into that fight next,” Hearn went on to say. “I think a lot of it depends on Deontay Wilder. If he’s willing to take that step-aside money. That’s a conversation to be had with Bob Arum and Al Haymon to see if that’s even possible.
“I think in an ideal world, we have that fight next.”
Due to recent complications with getting the three stars to work out a deal, and the time it took for Wilder and Fury to have a second fight, it is unknown if this plan would work. Using his gift of gab, Hearn is hoping that by speeding up the process, everyone walks away a winner.
“The one positive that could come out of this for boxing is you might find people jumping into bigger fights sooner, rather than later, because of course, their activity has been slowed. Their financial gain has been slowed as well, and it probably makes them realise anything can happen – ‘we need to make sure we get this fight in and I need to define my legacy.'”