Eddie Hearn Provides Insight on Anthony Joshua’s Injury and Potential Tyson Fury Showdown
EDDIE HEARN has recently shed light on the injury that is currently sidelining Anthony Joshua, as speculation grows around three new potential opponents for his upcoming fight. Joshua has not stepped into the ring since his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September, and a recent undisclosed setback appears to have delayed his anticipated summer comeback.
In a conversation with SunSport, Hearn explained, “It’s the same injury that he had previously, which I’m not going to elaborate on. It’s not something serious, but the challenge with these heavyweight fighters is that they often push through minor issues, and that’s really what this is.”
Hearn continued, “It doesn’t require surgical intervention, but when Joshua returned to training camp, he found he couldn’t throw punches effectively. The way these athletes train is intense; they’re not just casually hitting pads like you or I would. It’s high-impact work, and he will need about six more weeks to regain his punching power.”
Initially, Joshua had his sights set on a two-fight deal with Tyson Fury this year, which was planned to take place in both Saudi Arabia and London. However, following Fury’s unexpected announcement of retirement in January—just a month after suffering his second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk—those plans have been thrown into uncertainty. Despite Fury’s inclination to remain retired, Hearn remains optimistic about receiving a call that could reignite this long-awaited matchup.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Hearn expressed his hopes, stating, “In a perfect world, Tyson Fury would get off the couch and think, ‘I’m bored. I want to take a chance with AJ.’ That phone call would undoubtedly be the highlight of my career, and while it may happen, we must also prepare to secure another opponent.”
He emphasized the importance of Joshua being in peak physical condition, noting, “This is arguably the most critical decision and moment of his career, as it could be the final chapter.”
As Fury remains steadfast in his retirement, Hearn’s next potential option would be a rematch with Dubois. However, Dubois is also keen on a rematch with Usyk, who defeated him earlier in 2023 under controversial circumstances involving a disputed low blow that Dubois claimed was legal.
This situation leaves several alternatives on the table, including:
- Agit Kabayel, the current WBC interim champion
- Joseph Parker, who holds the WBO interim title
- Deontay Wilder, a former heavyweight champion and long-time rival of Joshua
Hearn stated, “We are not in a rush. This next move is crucial as we approach the final chapter of Joshua’s career. We have to make the right choice, and if we can’t secure Dubois or Fury, we’ll have to explore other options.”
In conclusion, Hearn reiterated the significance of the decision ahead, mentioning that it could involve fighters like Parker, Kabayel, or even Wilder, depending on how the situation unfolds.