Eddie Hearn has given fans a huge update regarding the blockbuster clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
According to Hearn, there is ‘no way AJ isn’t fighting this year’.
Joshua hasn’t fought since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September, and, while there has been a small delay due to an elbow injury, Hearn is adamant the 35-year-old will be back in the ring by the end of the year.
The boxing promoter has suggested that the next fight could be the highly anticipated all-English bout between AJ and Fury.
Anthony Joshua hasn't been back in the ring since his defeat to Daniel Dubois
PAHearn, 45, and Frank Warren, 73, have monopolised much of the UK boxing scene for well over a decade, and the two had a famous, longstanding feud.
However, since Saudi involvement in boxing, the pair have collaborated to create blockbuster fights, and Fury v Joshua could well be the next one.
The Gypsy King has retired since his back-to-back losses against Oleksandr Usyk, however it is the fourth time he has done so and he recently returned to social media to show himself training again.
Speaking to The Sun, Hearn said: "Tyson Fury is a big tease, every day I open up Instagram like today and he's got his wraps on saying he's done 12 rounds.
"He looks super fit, Tyson Fury, he looks like he's ready to go now! Which is encouraging, but obviously probably the delay that AJ's got is a blessing, to be honest with you.
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"One, you've got Usyk against Dubois coming up, so that gives you a little bit of time.
"And number two, you've got Tyson Fury who could potentially come back to the ring so it's gonna be interesting to see what plays out."
The narrative, as has been set by AJ and further maintained by Hearn, is that Joshua is up for the fight, putting the ball in the court of the Gypsy King.
Hearn admitted: "I'd be lying if I said we haven't discussed it socially, because obviously everyone's desperate to make it happen.
"But, no one said, 'Oh, I think it's coming, I think he's coming back.' But at the same time, he's training."
"And I feel like with Tyson Fury over the years, you've seen him not training and balloon out of shape and then it takes him a long time to come back.
"Now it looks like he's either ready to fight or he's ready to begin camp, which is hugely encouraging. But I just don't think he'll be able to leave it alone, if I'm honest with you.
"Because, the money's one thing, but just the occasion and the challenge, and he's a competitor, he's a winner. And I just can't believe he's gonna let it slide."
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Hearn remained adamant, however, that AJ would fight this year.
“There's no way AJ's not fighting this year. So who will that be? I can't tell you," he continued.
"I mean, that's the million-dollar question at all times, but I think more importantly is, do we get any news from Fury in the next four, six, eight weeks?
He continued: “If we do, we'll fight him this year. If not, we'll fight and then maybe he comes back next year, who knows?”
The comments leave fans in no doubt over AJ’s mindset. However, John Fury recently broke his silence after his son’s second loss to Usyk, suggesting he may not return because he has ‘had enough’.
For the very least, after AJ returns from his elbow injury (he will be ‘good to go’ after four-six weeks) the two-time world champion will be returning to the ring, most likely ‘post-September’.
As for Fury, it remains a mystery. One thing is for sure, he is intentionally stoking the fire on social media, but whether that is to build hype for the potential fight or for a bit of fun is still unknown.
