Anthony Joshua wants the Tyson Fury fight ‘more than anything’ – Promoter Eddie Hearn explains plans leading up to that fight | boxing news

Plans are being developed that could lead Anthony Joshua into the “biggest fight in sports” with Tyson Fury.

Fury, who sits out all of 2025, has revealed he would like to box again next year.

Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn welcomed Fury’s return.

“It’s exactly what everyone wants to hear,” Hearn said. sky sports. “What AJ wants more than anything is to fight Tyson Fury.

“It’s the biggest fight in sports… I’m hopeful.

“The only thing that comes close to that level (for Joshua) is to win the World Heavyweight Championship again, which is a huge motivation for him.”

The fight with Fury will take place next summer and Joshua has boxed at least once, but could fight twice before then.

There is a “small chance” Joshua could box before the end of the year and fight in early 2026, potentially in February.

“Planning is very important,” Hearn said. “The most important thing is to make sure he feels 110% confident and ready to beat Tyson Fury. We believe we need to be able to plan for this to put AJ in the best position for what will be the biggest moment of his career.”

“If he fights this year it will be a complete bust. He won’t be a top 15 fighter,” the promoter continued. “He will have two fights before Tyson Fury if possible, or one in February.

“We haven’t decided on anything specific yet, but he wants to be active.”

Fury will probably make an adjustment for himself as well. It can be dangerous. For example, previous contests against Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou were warm-ups for bigger fights that turned out to be trickier than expected.

But Hearn thought: “If you can’t win at rowing, you shouldn’t be in the ring with AJ.

“We want both of them to do their best and give the best version to the public, and if we can’t get the best version, we might not fight.

“What we don’t want is for two guys who come in there after being out for a year and a half to both be a little rusty.

“We need to allow people who have been out of the ring for a long time to be absolutely spectacular when they meet each other.”

Allen is the test Itauma needs.

If the Doncaster man can beat Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday, Dave Allen could consider himself a potential opponent for Joshua ahead of the Fury fight.

“What I’m saying is that if he wins, he’ll probably be in the top 20, top 15 in the world. He’s already in the WBA and we’ll pick from that list. And he’s British. And he’s very popular. I don’t know who it will be (in AJ Warmup),” Hearn said.

“I don’t think there’s a heavyweight in the world other than Oleksandr Usyk who couldn’t face Dave Allen if he wins on Saturday.

“I put Anthony Joshua in that mix, and I also put Tyson Fury in that mix because those are the two guys that are going to have the ‘comeback’ fight. (Moses) Itauma, Derek Chisora, Andy Ruiz, Deontay Wilder, Ajit Kabayel, Jilay Jang.”

Allen could be a good fit for rising star Moses Itauma.

“I don’t think there’s a fight that Dave wouldn’t take. At this stage, it’s about the money,” Hearn explained. “Itauma is a very tough fight, but Dave has a good style to test things we don’t know about Moses, which is basically how tough he is, his chin, his engine.

“Dave is the guy who can weather the storm and take you in the round and find out. Of course, he’s an underdog compared to Moses, a lot of people are.

“But again, one step at a time, they say, after Saturday night the world is his oyster.”