Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is mapping out a potential showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, despite the former’s recent devastating loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
In a recent interview with DAZN, Hearn outlined two clear options for Joshua’s next move: a rematch with Dubois or a long-awaited clash with Fury. While Hearn expects Joshua to lean towards the Dubois rematch, he believes facing Fury could be the “bigger and better option” for the British-Nigerian boxer.
“I think the next move is probably the most important of his career so far,” Hearn stated.”We have within our contract the option to do the rematch. I’m pretty sure after all my conversations so far with Turki Alalshikh, he wants the immediate rematch.”
However, Hearn emphasised the prospect of a Fury fight, saying, “For me, we have to fight Tyson Fury before it’s done.”
He opined that if Fury loses against Oleksandr Usyk, his advice would be for him and Joshua to have two fights in 2025 before retiring.
The promoter’s comments come in the wake of Joshua’s fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois. Despite the defeat, Joshua remains one of boxing’s biggest draws, reportedly earning a guaranteed £6m for the Dubois fight, with potential earnings rising to £25m depending on pay-per-view sales.
Joshua, 34, has vowed to continue his career despite calls for retirement. In a video posted on his Instagram account, he said, “We came up short, but we have got to look at all the positives, and that’s the mindset that we have to have—a positive one, always.”
Hearn believes Joshua has “between one and three fights” left in his career.
“He doesn’t want to leave the sport. He loves it! But we as a team will make sure that he leaves the sport at the right time,” Hearn added.
The Dubois fight reportedly drew a record crowd for a British boxing match, with Turki Alalshikh claiming an attendance of “more than 98,128” fans. This underscores Joshua’s continued drawing power, despite recent setbacks.
