Eddie Hearn has revealed in an interview that the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight is more likely to happen now than ever before.

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been pitted against each other for nearly ten years, with rumoured agreements and social media deadlines punctuating this long rivalry between the two British heavyweight superstars.

The Matchroom boss, speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, said Joshua is ready to make a fight with Fury after coming back from his elbow surgery and that the ball is in Fury’s court.

Hearn said: “AJs got to have a little keyhole surgery on an elbow. He’ll be back post September.”

He continued: “When we talk about big fights – this fight is the biggest fight – not just in British boxing, in world boxing by a mile. I just feel like it’s time, this is the moment. We’re reliant upon Tyson Fury, [but] we’re ready to go.”

With Fury teasing a return to the ring on social media twice already this year, Hearn believes that he will not be able to resist the temptation to come back and take on ‘AJ’.

He said of Fury: “He’s a competitive so and so, and I just know in his mind he’ll want to dance with Anthony Joshua. So, dust those shoes off and let’s make it happen.”

The circumstances and relationships surrounding this fight have changed drastically since it was first proposed. Neither man holds a belt and Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn have a recently reconciled relationship that has opened the door for many cross promotional matchups already.

Joshua’s promoter believes this will be the key to the fight being made as easily as ‘one phone call’.

Hearn said: “Honestly, one phone call. Previously one had a belt, one was the challenger. One was unified, me and Frank Warren never spoke, me and Tyson Fury didn’t get on. That ship’s sailed now, and it really is one phone call just to say, Look, here are the terms, you’re both not champions at the moment but you’re both huge stars – let’s just get on with it and make it happen.’”

He concluded: “So, fingers crossed, but I’m quietly confident.”

Anthony Joshua to undergo surgery THIS WEEK as Eddie Hearn reveals ‘encouraging’ update with ‘big tease’ Tyson Fury

Another option has also emerged for AJ’s next fight

ANTHONY JOSHUA is to have surgery on his elbow THIS WEEK – as talks to finally fight “big tease” Tyson Fury move a step closer.

Joshua, 35, is yet to return since his September knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois, 27, with a secret injury delaying his comeback.

AJ has since revealed the setback was caused by a problem with his elbow – which promoter Eddie Hearn reveals is due to be fixed this week.

Hearn told SunSport: “He just goes back into camp and just can’t fire on all cylinders consistently.

“So he can go back, have a couple of sessions, bit of soreness in the elbow.

“They tried to let it rest and recover and they’ve told him that I think it’s this week, he has a small keyhole surgery in the arm.

“Clear out, and it’s four-six weeks, he’s good to go. So I think we’re looking post-September.”

Following Joshua’s loss and Fury’s double defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, 38, last year, it set up the beaten Brits to finally settle their overdue score.

That was until Fury announced a shock retirement – the fourth of his career – in January only one month after Usyk won their rematch.

But the unpredictable Gypsy King has since ended his social media silence to begin hinting at a comeback – leaving Hearn hopeful.

The promoter said: “Tyson Fury is a big tease, everyday I open up Instagram like today and he’s got his wraps on saying he’s done 12 rounds.

“He looks super fit, Tyson Fury, he looks like he’s ready to go now! Which is encouraging, but obviously probably the delay that AJ’s got is a blessing, to be honest with you.

“One, you’ve got Usyk against Dubois coming up so that gives you a little bit of time.

“And number two, you’ve got Tyson Fury who could potentially come back to the ring so it’s gonna be interesting to see what plays out.”

Turki Alalshikh’s introduction to boxing and his deep Saudi pockets have helped bridge the gap between Hearn and long-time rival Frank Warren.

The previously warring promoters even share the sports streaming platform DAZN now – paving the way for talks between AJ and Fury.

Hearn admitted: “I’d be lying if I said we haven’t discussed it socially, because obviously everyone’s desperate to make it happen.

“But, no one said, ‘Oh, I think it’s coming, I think he’s coming back.’ But at the same time, he’s training.

Tyson Fury is a big tease, every day I open up Instagram like today and he’s got his wraps on saying he’s done 12 rounds. He looks super fit, Tyson Fury, he looks like he’s ready to go now! Which is encouraging

“And I feel like with Tyson Fury over the years, you’ve seen him not training and balloon out of shape and then it takes him a long time to come back.

“Now it looks like he’s either ready to fight or he’s ready to begin camp, which is hugely encouraging. But I just don’t think he’ll be able to leave it alone, if I’m honest with you.

“Because, the money’s one thing, but just the occasion and the challenge, and he’s a competitor, he’s a winner. And I just can’t believe he’s gonna let it slide.”

While Fury is Joshua & Co’s main target, Hearn warned they will await the result of Dubois’ July 19 rematch with Usyk at Wembley.

Hearn is adamant AJ will fight before the year ends – with or without Fury.

He warned: “Next couple of months, if there’s no movement, we fight.

“I mean there’s no way AJ’s not fighting this year. So who that will be? I can’t tell you.

“I mean, that’s the million dollar question at all times, but I think more importantly is, do we get any news from Fury in the next four, six, eight weeks?

“If we do, we’ll fight him this year. If not, we’ll fight and then maybe he comes back next year, who knows?

“But I’d be lying if I said we weren’t desperate to see him return. But, at the same time we can’t just wait around and see what happens.”

The Gypsy King continues to drop hints about his fighting future

TYSON FURY has ramped up training ahead of a potential return to the ring.

The Gypsy King announced his fifth retirement from the sport in January just a few weeks after his second-straight loss to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.

But the Wythenshawe warrior performed an unsurprising U-turn late last month in an expletive-filled rant at his two-time conqueror.

And the 35-year-old has been putting in some hard work in the gym since returning from a luxury holiday in the Bahamas.

On Wednesday afternoon, the former two-time heavyweight champion shared a post-training snap of himself, dad John and cousin Ricky Gorman to his Instagram page.

His accompanying caption read: “Great work today in gym 12 rounds of boxing with @gypsyjohnfury @ricky_gorman__ @gypsyprince.”

Scores of the fan favourite’s followers commented on the post, with on saying: “Coming back.

“Another said: He’s back!!”

“And another said: “Man is back like a boomerang.”

One remarked: One more ride. Let’s go.”

Another chimed in: “Get up!”

Awaiting Fury is a long-overdue £300million showdown with Brit rival Anthony Joshua, which many thought was a sure thing before his fifth retirement.

But the fight won’t be happening anytime soon as Joshua is set to go under the knife to address a long-standing elbow injury.

When quizzed about his ring return, AJ told DAZN: “I’m trying to get my body right.

“I have got to actually have a little surgery on my elbow.

“A small surgery sometime in May. I’m finalising the details.

“That will see me out of the gym for maybe six to eight weeks, and then when I’m healed, I will be back.”

Tyson Fury has a massive advantage over Anthony Joshua, according to a former world champion, who believes ‘The Gypsy King’ would get the better of a potential showdown.

While the pair are no longer at the pinnacle of the sport, the rivalry between them remains as fierce as ever.

Having conquered the world of boxing himself, Anthony Crolla knows all about what it takes to win monster fights. With that in mind, he’s the perfect person to give his take on what would be the biggest bout in British history.

In an exclusive interview with Sporf, via Free Bets, the former WBA lightweight champion explained: “I still think there’s a great chance it happens. The fight isn’t what it once was, but there’s no denying it’s an absolute mega fight still, and sells out any stadium around the world, whether it’s Old Trafford or Wembley. It’s one of the biggest fights in boxing.

“Going off recent form, you’ve got to fancy Tyson Fury, but Tyson is going to have a big break—obviously the weight is going to fluctuate, go up, he’s going to have to bring it back down—that probably makes it more of a level playing field.

“But I just think stylistically, Fury’s movement will cause Big AJ problems and I’d say Tyson wins via late stoppage or points.”

In his esteemed career, ‘Million Dollar’ gave the Manchester fans many a happy memory. Most notably, Crolla destroyed Ismael Barroso, who was renowned as one of the biggest punchers in boxing.

Now, with his legacy carved in stone, the retired athlete has started to pass his wisdom down to the next generation, taking a group of fighters, including his brother William Crolla, out to Benidorm to enhance their skills.

While most travel to the Spanish tourist destination to party and enjoy Take That tribute acts, the ex-world champion and his boxers have been working harder than ever as they prepare for their returns to the ring.

Crolla enthused, “William is good, he had two fights in six weeks. He had a little holiday himself after that, so he’s come back and he’s straight back into it, looking to improve. He had a really good learning fight last time out, and he’s getting better all the time.

“He’s alongside Bobby Faulkner and Callum Bradley, who’ve got fights coming up, so they’re at a very serious part of camp. It’s nice for fighters to get away, a change of scenery.

“I always got told by my coach, ‘You learn a lot more about your fighters when you’re away with them, because you see how they are away from the gym’.”

Tyson Fury will beat Anthony Joshua, according to a boxing legend who explains why ‘The Gypsy King’ has the edge

EXCLUSIVE: Tyson Fury has a massive advantage over Anthony Joshua, according to a former world champion, who believes ‘The Gypsy King’ would get the better of a potential showdown.

While the pair are no longer at the pinnacle of the sport, the rivalry between them remains as fierce as ever.

Anthony Crolla explains why he thinks Tyson Fury beats Anthony Joshua

Having conquered the world of boxing himself, Anthony Crolla knows all about what it takes to win monster fights. With that in mind, he’s the perfect person to give his take on what would be the biggest bout in British history.

In an exclusive interview with Sporf, via Free Bets, the former WBA lightweight champion explained: “I still think there’s a great chance it happens. The fight isn’t what it once was, but there’s no denying it’s an absolute mega fight still, and sells out any stadium around the world, whether it’s Old Trafford or Wembley. It’s one of the biggest fights in boxing.

“Going off recent form, you’ve got to fancy Tyson Fury, but Tyson is going to have a big break—obviously the weight is going to fluctuate, go up, he’s going to have to bring it back down—that probably makes it more of a level playing field.

“But I just think stylistically, Fury’s movement will cause Big AJ problems and I’d say Tyson wins via late stoppage or points.”

Anthony Crolla has just been training his brother in Benidorm

In his esteemed career, ‘Million Dollar’ gave the Manchester fans many a happy memory. Most notably, Crolla destroyed Ismael Barroso, who was renowned as one of the biggest punchers in boxing.

Now, with his legacy carved in stone, the retired athlete has started to pass his wisdom down to the next generation, taking a group of fighters, including his brother William Crolla, out to Benidorm to enhance their skills.

While most travel to the Spanish tourist destination to party and enjoy Take That tribute acts, the ex-world champion and his boxers have been working harder than ever as they prepare for their returns to the ring.

Crolla enthused: “William is good, he had two fights in six weeks. He had a little holiday himself after that, so he’s come back and he’s straight back into it, looking to improve. He had a really good learning fight last time out, and he’s getting better all the time.

“He’s alongside Bobby Faulkner and Callum Bradley, who’ve got fights coming up, so they’re at a very serious part of camp. It’s nice for fighters to get away, a change of scenery.

“I always got told by my coach, ‘You learn a lot more about your fighters when you’re away with them, because you see how they are away from the gym’.”