Frank Warren has hit back at claims from Eddie Hearn that the offer for Anthony Joshua to challenge for Tyson Fury’s WBC title this year was a ‘PR stunt.’
Amidst his increasingly desperate search for an opponent, Fury took to social media recently to inform fans that his team had sent terms to ‘AJ’, reigniting failed fight talks from last year.
Ultimately, the offer was declined by Joshua’s side, opting to stick to the plan of an August fight – likely against Dillian Whyte – before facing Deontay Wilder in Saudi.
As they were turning down the Fury fight, Hearn, ‘AJ’s promoter, cast doubt on its legitimacy, calling it a PR move.
Warren – who represents Fury – has now responded via IFL TV, saying in no uncertain terms that it was a legitimate offer.
“Eddie Hearn can say what he likes but he’s talking a complete pile of b***ocks. That is untrue. The fact of the matter is is that the offer was made. It was a genuine offer. Tyson was very much aware of it.
Tyson, to his credit, said to me yet again he won’t take it because he’s terrified of me but irrespective of that they didn’t take the fight and the reason they didn’t take the fight because they want to fight in Saudi.”
Warren went on to claim that, ultimately, Joshua was scared of Fury.
“Forget about everybody else. You – AJ – want to fight in September. You’ve got 40% of the purse. Fight will go on at Wembley. I’m guaranteeing that. If you’ve got the balls to do it.
Or are you gonna wait – as we all know – for the big pot of gold [Saudi] – and I haven’t got a problem with that … But don’t lie. Because the fact of the matter is you don’t want to fight Tyson for the obvious reason – Tyson will kick your arse and you’ll lose that fight and the big payday.”
“[If it’s a PR stunt] then call my bluff. Pick the phone up and accept the 40%”
It’s understood that Hearn has sent terms to Whyte for the August 12 fight and is awaiting a contract from Saudi Arabia in relation to the Wilder fight in December.
Fury is still no further forward in terms of an opponent for the middle of the year, but is expected to re-enter talks with Oleksandr Usyk for December.