Eddie Hearn reveals relationship with Anthony Joshua prevented him from representing Fury & Usyk
Eddie Hearn has revealed that his strong relationship with Anthony Joshua has prevented him from representing Tyson Fury and re-signing Oleksandr Usyk.
One of the most influential names in British sport, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has represented some of boxing’s biggest stars in recent years, but arguably no bigger than former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
The pair’s relationship started in 2013, when AJ turned professional with Matchroom Boxing after securing gold at the 2012 Olympic Games. In 2021, Joshua agreed to his fourth and final contract with the company, signing a career-long promotional deal.
While Joshua’s relationship with Hearn and Matchroom has proved to be one of the most loyal in boxing, the promoter has suggested that it’s prevented him from representing some of the division’s most prestigious names.
When speaking to iFL TV, he said: “We had a three-fight deal and when he (Usyk) beat Chisora and moved up from cruiserweight, he was mandatory for AJ. The fourth fight was actually Anthony Joshua and so was the fifth fight.
“I said to Alex Krassyuk and the team: ‘Look, we’ll just negotiate the fight. I’m not going to re-sign him or be involved because I have AJ’.”
When asked if over the years he had spent too much time prioritising his relationship with Joshua as opposed to pursuing deals with other heavyweights, including Tyson Fury, Hearn responded:
“The answer to your question is yes.”
Because of my relationship with AJ, I felt very uncomfortable about other heavyweights that might fight him, particularly who do fight him.
– Eddie Hearn (iFL TV)
“When I had the chance to sign Tyson Fury, there were two things. One, he was physically in a place that I didn’t think he’d get back to the top. But also in the back of my mind, I’m thinking: ‘This really isn’t going to go down very well’ (with Joshua).
“AJ would never say to me: ‘Don’t sign him.’ I just feel like that’s my guy.
“I would feel very uncomfortable if we signed Tyson Fury and made that fight. I don’t want to go into Fury vs AJ representing both people.”
