Eddie Hearn is looking to capitalise on the collapse of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight undisputed fight by suggesting a knockout style competition.
The division’s two champions, after over three months of talks, have failed to make perhaps the most important fight in the sport. Both teams involved have now confirmed that Fury-Usyk will not take place next, and other opponents are now being explored.
Hearn – who was not involved in the talks but previously predicted the fight wouldn’t go ahead on April 29 – wants to get his heavyweight superstar and former unified champion, Anthony Joshua, back in the mix.
If Fury v Usyk doesn’t get made..and AJ gets past Franklin..Fury v AJ, Wilder v Usyk – winner v winner for Undisputed 😅
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) March 23, 2023
Wilder is readying a return to the ring but is currently without an opponent, and now Fury and Usyk find themselves in the same boat. ‘AJ’ has Jermaine Franklin to beat on April 1 – something Hearn, the bookies and most fans believe will happen.
There are many reasons, though, why the four-man tournament won’t be made – not least the stark inability in the past to negotiate a fight between all of them on one occasion or another.
More importantly, though, Usyk’s team have made it clear that they will pursue their mandatory challengers now, the first being Daniel Dubois and the WBA belt.
The Ukrainian is clear in his goal to become undisputed champion at heavyweight after doing the same in the 200lb cruisweight ranks, and to do that he has to keep the belts he currently has. As it stands, that means facing Dubois, Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic.
Still, fans would jump at the chance to see Hearn’s proposal considered, given the real disappointment at yet another big fight in the sport going begging.