In recent developments within the world of boxing, Eddie Hearn, the promoter for Anthony Joshua, expressed optimism about a potential match-up between Joshua and Tyson Fury. Hearn firmly believes that a fight of this magnitude could materialize with little more than a direct message exchanged between the two boxing icons via social media. This casual approach to arranging such a highly anticipated fight underscores both the informal nature of modern communication and the immense popularity of these fighters, who have drawn significant attention over the years.
Tyson Fury, at the age of 36, has recently retired from the sport following a disappointing series of results, including a second successive defeat against Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning heavyweight champion of the WBA (Super), WBC, and WBO. On the flip side, Anthony Joshua, 35 years old, has been inactive in the ring since he faced Daniel Dubois in September, where he also suffered defeat. The compounding circumstances seem to lend themselves to a fight being not only plausible but also attractive to the fans, who have long awaited a showdown between these two British boxing titans.
During an interview with BBC Sport, Hearn elaborated on the simplicity with which this monumental fight could be arranged. According to him, it could all begin with a simple query: “Do you fancy it?” This seemingly straightforward approach is emblematic of the urgency and anticipation that surrounds the potential bout. Both Joshua and Fury are noted as two-time heavyweight world champions, further enhancing the allure of a clash between them. However, despite the initial excitement, negotiations have often been fraught with complications, causing delays in realization.
Fitness for both fighters is imperative, and Hearn emphasized that while neither fighter currently holds a championship title, their reputations remain substantial. He believes that both Joshua and Fury, now at advanced stages in their careers, still possess a vitality that makes a match worthwhile. “Before AJ lost to Dubois, everyone said this is the best AJ we’ve ever seen. And Fury never really showed any signs of decline against Usyk. He just got beaten by the pound-for-pound number one,” Hearn noted, which positions the fighters well for a comeback if they can negotiate their respective returns to the ring successfully.
Hearn has further shared that Joshua is likely to make a return to the boxing arena by the end of 2025, suggesting that he has limited fights left in his career—perhaps only one to three bouts. “If AJ was to lose again, [the Fury fight] isn’t really there any more. Maybe his career isn’t either, so we are not in any tearing rush,” he stated. This sentiment speaks to the reality that both fighters’ stakes are high, and they are acutely aware of the implications of their next moves.
Bob Arum, co-promoter for Fury, has indicated that he does not foresee Fury returning to boxing, though Hearn suggests that Arum and Fury’s relationship has historically been strained. Nevertheless, Hearn recognizes Fury’s dedication to training and fitness, noting that he is in excellent shape and could adapt quickly should he choose to re-enter the competitive sphere. “Tyson looks in great shape. I think he said the other day he’s training twice a day, so it’d be very easy for him to go into a 10-week camp,” Hearn explained.
Ultimately, the future of any proposed fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury rests heavily on both fighters’ decisions and potential dialogues in the coming weeks. As Hearn aptly summarized, the hope remains that the boxing gods would favor fans with the fight that has long been on their wish list. The anticipation built around Hearn’s statements and the fighters’ impressive records continues to fuel excitement in the heavyweight boxing scene, as fans eagerly await what comes next.
