Eddie Hearn believes it’s in Tyson Fury’s nature to throw a curveball in the heavyweight division and face Anthony Joshua sooner than expected.
Should Fury be successful in his winter warm-up against Derek Chisora, he’s expected to announce an undisputed fight with fellow-champion, Oleksandr Usyk, for early 2023.
Despite the plans seeming relatively solid, there are still other options for the man from Morecambe – not least of which an in demand fight with former-champion and forever-rival, Joshua.
In an interview with IFL TV, ‘AJ’s promoter first addressed Fury’s ever-changing views on the fight.
“[On Fury saying he isn’t interested in a Joshua fight] Two or three days ago he said he couldn’t retire unless he fought AJ, and he needs that fight badly. You’re seeing now from the social media responses, people are starting coming to terms with it doesn’t really make sense what he’s saying. Let him go on.”
Despite talks turning sour recently, Hearn is still onboard with the bout. In fact, there’s a part of him – however small – that feels Fury could target the all-British showdown instead of an undisputed fight with the Ukrainian.
“Maybe he fights AJ instead of Usyk. I wouldn’t even be surprised. That fight’s so big with AJ that sometimes you just get together and you make the fight instantly.”
Finally, the promoter dismissed any idea that the fight isn’t important to the sport, and echoed the thoughts of fans in saying that it must be made before the fighters bow out of boxing.
“I think Fury wants legacy, and he knows that the AJ fight is legacy – because it’s the biggest fight of all time. And despite him maybe saying that he doesn’t rate Anthony Joshua, he does, and he knows it’s a real fight … We have to see that fight.”
Fury faces Chisora on December 3 in North London, with his future plans expected to become much clearer if and when he takes the victory.