Eddie Hearn has suggested that Anthony Joshua will almost certainly box another opponent before facing Tyson Fury, as “AJ”’s promoter lifted the lid on negotiations over the super-fight.
Joshua shared an exchange with Fury following the “Gypsy King”’s decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov on his return from retirement last weekend, calling his long-time rival from inside the ring in a bid to finally get their “Battle of Britain” booked.
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“AJ” did not bow to Fury’s invitation inside the ropes but did take the microphone to say he’ll “see you in that ring in due time”, a period which may include a warm-up bout for the former world heavyweight champion, who hasn’t fought since being involved in a car crash that took the lives of two of his friends in December.
Matchroom chief Hearn said that Joshua perhaps doesn’t need an extra fight to adequately prepare after Fury failed to light up the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but told publications that included The Independent that it would be fair to expect the 36-year-old to step into a ring before he shares the canvas with Fury.
Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua’s promoter, at a press conference in London (Getty)
Asked if Joshua needs a warm-up bout, Hearn said: “Maybe not after what he saw on Saturday, but I think to be fair to Fury, I think [Joshua] would be rusty. I think the 12 rounds would be massively advantageous for him after that.
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“So, you know, [Fury] was trying to palm me off that we’ve ‘had our warm-up fight’ against Jake Paul. I thought it was a bit cheeky! But I expect us to fight someone of the same kind of level as Makhmudov and then fight Fury.
“The deal that we’ve been offered is that it’s not to fight Tyson Fury straight way. We talked to him, we said: ‘Look, these are your two options. We can fight Fury straight away, or we can do it this way. This is our preferred option, but these are how the two options look.’ And they said, ‘Let’s do that one,’ so we are happy with that. We expect to be out in July.”
Joshua indicated during the post-fight war of words that no contract talks with Fury had taken place as he said: “When you’re ready, you tell me your conditions.” However, the Briton has received a new proposal as he prepares to return to action.
Anthony Joshua, ringside for Tyson Fury’s latest win, was called out by the ‘Gypsy King’ after the fight (Getty)
“We received a contract at the end of last week for their proposal of the two fights, and we’ve been going back and forward, and that’s it really,” he said. “And we continue to do that; my instruction from AJ is to make the fight, and that’s what we’ll be trying to do.”
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Probed on any sticking points over a new deal, Hearn added: “I wouldn’t really say sticking points, but just obviously you’re… With a contract, it’s very natural to go back with a lot of stuff. [There’s] nothing major, a little bit about obviously who he fights in July, when he fights, where the fight’s gonna be. [There are] still things to negotiate. I wouldn’t say sticking points.”
Some criticised Joshua for showing restraint and not explicitly accepting Fury’s “challenge”, disappointing the thousands of remaining fans in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the many watching on Netflix, by not humouring Fury in an in-ring face-off.
Hearn given explaination for Joshua’s decision in the moment and backed the boxer, saying: “Basically, he said: ‘Why would I get in the ring to announce a fight that’s not agreed?’ [But then] Netflix announced the fight, f***ing… I mean, I think they’d been told that the fight’s done. And by the way, I’m pretty sure it will be done.
Fury and Joshua exchange words after the bell (Getty)
“AJ’s thinking, ‘This fight has been close so many times and people have got disappointed so many times. If I get in there, it’s not gonna be, “These two could meet.” They’re gonna go: “The fight’s on.”’
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“And then we’re all gonna go, ‘Hang on a minute, it’s not,’ and then it starts getting messy.
“I said [to Joshua]: ‘Look, he might come over.’ [Joshua said:] ‘Yeah, cool. He can do what he wants. I’ll just sit here.’ I thought it worked quite well.”
Joshua has not fought since knocking out YouTuber Jake Paul in Miami, 10 days before being injured in a fatal car crash in Nigeria.
The tragic accident left his boxing future up in the air but he has since returned to the gym, spending time training with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in his native Ukraine.
Joshua (left) and former opponent Oleksandr Usyk in Ukraine (@usykaa/Instagram)
Joshua made his first public appearance in the crowd at UFC London in March and Hearn has provided a positive update on his wellbeing, while issuing a reminder that the boxer is of course still dealing with the trauma.
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“He’s good,” he said. “I mean, I think people are kind of quick to forget what he’s been through. At the time, people were very sort of courteous and understanding. And now it’s, ‘Sign the contract!’
“He’s returning to boxing, but in the next two weeks he’ll get signed off physically to return to proper full-time training. And you know, from there it’s gonna be a situation of when he could return, but he’s in a good place. He’s still dealing with stuff, but I think sadly… so many people psychoanalyse it, like they always do.”
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