Prominent boxing promoter Barry Hearn emphasizes the importance of setting up a bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, ideally in early 2025. Hearn, representing Matchroom, the company that has promoted Joshua since his professional debut, believes that the boxing world has a duty to make this fight happen.
Joshua and Fury, both former heavyweight champions, have yet to face each other in the ring despite their long-standing rivalry. Hearn insists that this fight must take place before the opportunity slips away.
“We have a responsibility to deliver the Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight in early 2025, and we can't shy away from that duty,” Hearn stated to Sky Sports. He added that even if Oleksandr Usyk defeats Fury in their upcoming rematch, the Joshua-Fury matchup should still be pursued.
Hearn believes it's crucial for those involved in the sport to continue delivering the best possible matches. "Personally, I think Usyk will triumph over Fury in their rematch, but if Fury wins and Joshua defeats Daniel Dubois, then a unification bout becomes easier to arrange since Joshua would hold the IBF heavyweight title," Hearn explained.
Joshua is set to face Daniel Dubois on September 21 for the IBF heavyweight championships, with Usyk and Fury scheduled to fight for the WBA, WBO, and WBC titles on December 21.
Hearn also pointed out that while Usyk is a top-tier champion, he lacks the commercial appeal of Tyson Fury. "Assuming AJ wins against Dubois—and we shouldn't overlook Dubois—there's no bigger fight globally than Fury versus Joshua," Hearn noted. "The demand for this fight would be unprecedented, with no venue large enough to accommodate all the fans who would want to attend. It would be monumental."
Regardless of the outcome of these upcoming fights, Joshua is keen on facing Usyk again. "He wants to defeat Usyk," Hearn said. "In their first encounter, Usyk came out on top. Joshua went back, studied, and despite his efforts, he lost again in the rematch, which left him deeply disappointed."
Hearn highlighted Joshua's unique mindset, explaining that while the financial rewards are substantial, Joshua is driven by the desire to win and secure his legacy. "I don’t think Anthony Joshua will rest until he’s a unified champion," Hearn concluded.
Catch the highly anticipated Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois fight live from Wembley Stadium on Sky Sports Box Office on September 21.
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