07 April 2023 , 16:58
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Eddie Hearn has detailed recent conversations with Tyson Fury's American promoter Bob Arum over possibly delivering the long-awaited grudge fight between he and Anthony Joshua this summer.
The Matchroom Boxing boss has been keen to make the bout happen for years, and after Joshua defeated Jermaine Franklin in his ring return on Saturday it returned to the table. A deal was struck in principal for the pair to fight back in December, but time ran out for both sides, and he is eager to restore those terms again for the pair to finally compete this summer.
And Fury's promoter Arum, who works alongside Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions to take care of the heavyweight champion's career, has been in touch with Hearn to try and make a deal. The two sides have come within inches of signing papers over the last few years, but it appears that there is another chance for them to work together and come up with a summer date.
“We’ve just got to decide what type of fight we want for July," Hearn told IFL TV of Joshua's next move. "Do we go straight into a massive fight now? Bob Arum phoned me the other day, which was quite a surprise. Just talking about AJ Fury, he said what are you thinking?
"I said I don’t know really. We’re all up for discussing the fight. I don’t think there’s going to be a major site fee in July, but we’re still willing to look at the numbers, or if you want to wait and do it later in the year we’re up for that too. Who knows what’s going to happen with Usyk, with Wilder. We’re gonna have to see. But AJ’s going to fight in July, 100 per cent.”
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Eddie Hearn has been holding talks over Anthony Joshua's next fight (PA)Do you still want to see Tyson Fury fight Anthony Joshua? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Fury and Joshua fighting at Wembley Stadium would be a monster hit at the box office, but wouldn't compare to a Middle Eastern site deal in terms of fighter payouts. With both men late in their careers, they will be looking to secure a massive payday for the long-awaited grudge match meaning that they would likely wait until later in the year.
It is expected that after a summer mandatory title defence, unified champion Oleksandr Usyk will look to revisit the undisputed fight with Fury at the end of the year. That could scupper Fury vs Joshua, which is a less appealing prospect after recent performances from the former champion who has gone 3-3 in his last six, with just one stoppage win in those three victories.