Eddie Hearn provides timeline for Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury as unorthodox opponent in the pipeline for ‘AJ’
Anthony Joshua is still without an opponent as he seeks his first dance partner since Daniel Dubois in 2024.
Fans are still unsure whether they will ever get their highly-anticipated match between Joshua and Fury. Although the ‘Gypsy King’ is seemingly returning to the ring, Oleksandr Usyk is the desired opponent for Fury.
This means that Joshua may look to another opponent, as Fury is an unlikely foe for his 2025 comeback.
Amid the confusion of Joshua’s situation, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has provided a timeline for the potential Fury fight.
Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury only possible in 2026
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Hearn spoke about the current situation regarding Joshua and a potential Fury fight.
Hearn said, “We want to fight Tyson Fury, but, we are going to fight before that Tyson Fury fight.”
The Matchroom boxing promoter said the reason behind this was because Fury would likely not face Joshua before 2026. “He’s [Fury] not going to fight Joshua until spring or summer of 2026.”
Since Joshua has not performed since September 2024, this is the reason Hearn is eager to get his fighter back in the ring before 2026.
In terms of fights prior to a potential meeting with Fury, Jake Paul has been mentioned as an option for ‘AJ’. Although Hearn feels it would be a one-sided victory for Joshua against Paul, he has since spoken on the possibility of the fight.
Eddie Hearn says Jake Paul is a possible opponent for Anthony Joshua
Although the Fury fight is the priority for Hearn and Joshua, the boxing promoter is seemingly open to a fight with Paul.
“We definitely want to fight again. We had a meeting with His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh], who met Jake Paul the night before. Jake Paul has reached out to Anthony Joshua a few times. I’ve spoken to Nakisa [Bidarian], Jake’s manager.”
Hearn added that Joshua vs Paul ‘was never a fight he anticipated,’ but could be a potential ‘warm-up’ fight for ‘AJ’.
As well as seeing the bout as potentially financially favorable, Hearn feels the fight can ‘extinguish’ Paul from the boxing world.
In terms of how the fight could play out, Hearn reiterated his feelings that ‘the fight wouldn’t be competitive.’ However, the Englishman went on to say, “It may be the biggest fight that could be made, bizarrely, in the sport.”
