Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn has declared that the highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury must “definitely” take place by the end of 2025, or risk never happening.
The Matchroom Boxing chief believes the showdown between the two British boxing stars, which has been mooted for several years, is now approaching a critical timeline.
“Yes, definitely,” Hearn responded when asked if there was a deadline of next year for the bout to happen.Hearn’s comments come as Joshua, 34, prepares to challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Meanwhile, Fury, 36, is set to face Oleksandr Usyk—the holder of the other three recognised world titles—in a rematch this December.
“I do think AJ-Fury will happen regardless of whether Fury wins or not, but the size of the fight depends on their next two results,” Hearn told BBC Sport.
“If AJ beats Dubois and Fury beats Usyk, you’ve got the biggest fight in the history of the sport ever. If one loses and the other wins, it’s still a monster fight,” Hearn added.
The promoter’s urgency reflects the growing sentiment within the boxing community that time is running out for this generational clash.
In June, Joshua himself urged Fury to agree to the fight while both boxers are still “fresh,” though he made it clear he wouldn’t “sit around and wait” indefinitely.
Hearn sees new hope for the bout’s realisation with the substantial investment in boxing from Saudi Arabia.
However, he emphasised that the window of opportunity is closing rapidly.
Joshua’s immediate focus is on Dubois, as he aims to join the elite class of Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko, and Evander Holyfield as a three-time heavyweight world champion.
“The magnitude of the achievement will be something incredible if he can pull it off,” Hearn said.
The upcoming Wembley Stadium fight is set to break the British post-war attendance record with 96,000 fans expected, surpassing the 94,000 set by Fury vs Dillian Whyte in 2022.
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