Eddie Hearn is serious about pitting Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury this summer, provided he comes through Jermaine Franklin in April.
For months, it has looked like Fury’s only option in the sport is to face Oleksandr Usyk. The two heavyweight champions have been deep in negotiations to stage an undisputed fight since December.
With that now officially off the table amidst accusations of ‘disrespect’ and ‘cowardice’ from both sides, Fury is left with an empty corner staring him in the face.
Hearn, who was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to make the Fury-‘AJ’ bout last year, wants to talk to ‘The Gypsy King’s promoters about doing it now.
He told the DAZN Boxing Show that there was nothing stopping it happening.
“If this fight doesn’t get made, I want to sit down with George Warren and – god willing AJ comes through Jermaine Franklin on April 1st – I want to go straight into that fight. AJ against Tyson Fury. Why not?”
The promoter then states that the domestic clash for Fury’s WBC title would be bigger financially than the four-belt fight with Usyk, and that things may have just fallen perfectly into place.
It’s financially a much bigger fight for Tyson Fury than Oleksandr Usyk. It’s the biggest fight in world boxing by a mile. But first, AJ’s gotta go and do a job April 1st. If he does, and this Usyk fight don’t get made, I think we should be kicking and screaming for that fight.
Sometimes, things happen that enable fights that you never thought could happen, to happen, and maybe this is one of those moments.”
Given how the talks ended last time out, and Fury’s comments since, it may be wishful thinking.
Having said that, Hearn is right about there being no bigger or more in-demand opponent out there for Fury if Usyk is out of the question.