Eddie Hearn is hopeful that Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua can be made in 2023. The all-British showdown fell apart at the eleventh hour, but this hasn’t deterred the Matchroom Boxing chief.
Boxing fans had hoped to see Fury and AJ finally square off on December 3. However, negotiations broke down between Hearn and George Warren earlier this month. Warren accused Hearn of lacking ambition while Hearn blamed Frank’s son’s slow communication for the collapse.
As a result, Fury is now booked in to face Derek Chisora for a third time on the same date at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium instead. In their previous two encounters, Fury won on both occasions – the first on point and the second via a tenth-round retirement victory.
During the events launch press conference on Thursday, promoter Frank Warren was quizzed on the Fury vs Joshua clash and stated it is unlikely to ever happen. “We thought [Fury-Joshua] was very close,” he told Standard Sport. “Tyson said Joshua would never sign and we had a £10,000 bet and I lost. He knew better than me.
“Joshua is my boss and if he tells me I have to do it, I do it. If he tells me I want to fight Tyson Fury, we look to make it happen, but for me it has to take his time, but at the same time I want to see him in the big fights.”
For now, Joshua is expected to have ‘two quick fights’ against ‘credible top 15 opponents’. Otto Wallin, Gerald Washington and Chris Arreola have all confirmed that approaches have been made to acquire their services for AJ’s next fight.
The Watford powerhouse had originally been touted for a December 17 return at Wembley Stadium but recent reports suggest he is more likely to fight again in early 2023. February and early March are understood to be more realistic estimates.