Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed that former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is “ready” to fight Tyson Fury, but has “given up” in his attempts at an all-English bout.
GB News exclusively revealed last month that Fury had agreed to come out of the retirement that he had announced at the start of the year after his second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
This was later confirmed by Saudi boxing chief Turki Al-Sheikh and by Fury himself in an Instagram post, with the latter detailing that he will have a trilogy fight with the Ukrainian on April 18, 2026.
In his social media post, fans expressed their frustration with Fury over his choice to fight Usyk, whom he has lost both fights against.
One fan wrote, “The fight no one wants to see,” and another added: “Stop Tyson nobody wants to see this you lost twice already fight someone else.”
Joshua and Hearn have maintained their stance for months that they would like a fight between the pair to happen, with the ball being firmly in Fury’s court.
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Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua were recently spotted together at Wimbledon
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Speaking to Betfred, Hearn has now reiterated their position saying: “The public are asking when Fury is going to fight him and obviously that’s out of our control because Tyson’s saying some strange things now like he’s going to fight Oleksandr Usyk for a third time, even though he’s already lost to him twice.
“So, the fight that everybody wants to see is AJ versus Fury, but that’s really down to Tyson Fury because we’re ready to go.
“He [Joshua] will return in November/December and fight a top 15 guy, hopefully he’ll come back with an impressive win and then move into those Tyson Fury fights in 2026.”
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The promoter continued by adding that the “open lines of communications” he now shares with rival Frank Warren, who represents Fury, means a fight could be on the cards.
However, Hearn claimed that Fury needs to be treated with “kid gloves” as he continues to avoid the highly anticipated all-English bout.
The 46-year-old added: “Handling Tyson Fury is an art in itself, and they desperately want the Anthony Joshua fight.
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Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua hae teased the blockbuster fight for years but it has never been signed off
PA“Frank Warren, Spencer Brown, Turki Al-Sheikh, everybody, but I suppose you need to handle Fury with kid gloves because if they put pressure on him to fight AJ, then he’d go the other way because he doesn’t like to conform.
“It’s like now, when he says he’s coming back, everybody is like ‘Yes, he’s fighting AJ’, but then he says he’s fighting Usyk. That’s him. AJ’s said that he’s given up trying to understand him years ago.
“Everybody wants it and I think Tyson wants it. He’s obviously not scared of AJ, but he just likes to tease you a little bit, and in my opinion, the teasing’s done. Let’s make the fight.”
Hearn concluded by putting the onus back on Fury to sign off on the blockbuster fight: “I think they’ll both have a fight around November/December, and if one of them loses, the fight’s over anyway.
“So, as long as they both come back and win, then I’d be shocked if we don’t get that fight in 2026, but remember, it’s not our fault. We’ll sign, we’re ready, and we’ll agree now, so over to Mr Fury. We’ll see what happens.”
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