It has been revealed by Anthony Joshua’s management that the current Heavyweight boxing champion could potentially face WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury at the beginning of 2021 or even towards the end of 2020, provided Deontay Wilder withdraws from his fight with Fury. This move is motivated by the fans’ disinterest in seeing preparatory or ‘tune up’ fights following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barry Hearn, the owner of MatchRoom boxing, the agency managing Joshua, expressed his confidence that both Tyson and Joshua would be willing to fight each other as soon as possible. According to him, both fighters have a lot to gain from the potential match-up.
Hearn further stated his commitment to ensuring that the all-British undisputed decider between Joshua and Fury takes place immediately after the pandemic ends.
The WBA, IBF, and WBO champion Joshua has been mandated to face Kubrat Pulev next while Fury, holding the WBC, Ring Magazine, and Lineal titles, is contractually obligated to a third fight with Deontay Wilder, who is reportedly nursing a bicep injury. However, there is speculation that both Pulev and Wilder could step aside and withdraw from their respective fights if they are adequately compensated.
71-year-old Barry Hearn, father of the prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, shared his thoughts with Betfred, stating, “Anthony Joshua is probably the easiest boxer I have ever worked with, he literally will fight anybody and he is very keen on unifying the titles and Tyson has the missing belt.
“Tyson is not afraid of anyone, at the same time, and he knows if he beats Joshua he will be an even bigger global figure.
“The good news about this pile-up of global sport events is that there will be competition for airtime when sport returns and people will not pay for tick-over contests.
“I think we have an excellent chance of seeing that fight, I would say 50-50 it is this year and, if it is not this year, then it’s 95-5 for early 2021.”
He added: “I am always confident because it is a big fight and the demand for it is huge but there are complications, as there always are.
“Does Wilder even fight Fury again? I am hearing that he has a slight injury and cannot train until May, does that bring a delay?
“There is a chance, hypothetically if the sport comes back in September and Wilder isn’t ready or doesn’t want the fight, then I think Josh would drop Pulev and go for Fury, because that is the fight he wants more than anything else.”
Hearn said: “Fury surprised me against Wilder but he always surprises me because I usually look at him and think Joshua beats him comfortably. But then Fury just seems to bring out the unexpected.
“I expected Wilder to connect but I don’t think he is technically good at all, he can just punch and that is always an equaliser.
“But Tyson boxed so well and exposed Wilder so much that he bashed him up and took away his desire.
“If all you have is a punch and that is taken away from you, then you cannot win the fight.
“I thought Tyson boxed out of his skin and good luck to the boy.”