Eddie Hearn has explained exactly what needs to happen for Tyson Fury to step in the ring with Anthony Joshua.
Immediately following Joshua’s victory over Wladimir Klitschko last Saturday at Wembley Stadium, Fury called out the heavyweight on Twitter.
The Manchester boxer didn’t have to wait long to hear back from Joshua, who called him out in the ring following the bout.
AJ CALL OUT: "@Tyson_Fury, where you at baby?!" 👀
REACTION: https://t.co/6DvO99v3ts
Brought to you by @beatsbydreUK https://t.co/UX5RNuFe50— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) April 29, 2017
Both boxers clearly want the bout to occur, but there’s a few obstacles to navigate first. A few days following the win over Klitschko, Hearn dismissed any suggestion that the fight would happen anytime soon.
Fury had his boxing licence revoked last year, and will discover on Monday if the British Boxing Board of Control will reinstate it.
He also has to address an alleged failed drug test, has suffered with his mental health over the past year and half and has only recently returned to training.
A man with a plan https://t.co/sFxChi8Uw6
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) May 6, 2017
However, Fury is undefeated and overcame Klitschko in November 2015 in a massive upset victory.
If Joshua and Fury do fight, it could sell out Wembley Stadium and be a huge pay-per-view event.
Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has laid out exactly what needs to occur for this to happen, and it’s fair to say the ball is definitely in Fury’s court.
“He probably needs to become a Sky fighter [laughs],” Hearn told Boxing News Online.
“He needs to get in shape, he needs to get his licence back, he needs to clear his name with UK Anti-Doping and then I think he needs to have a fight and then I think it’s on.
“Physically he’s not at the races but he seems to be working hard and I really hope he does come back.”
He's not one for call-outs but… https://t.co/5vNl7ISOWX
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) April 30, 2017
Hearn went on to say that he expects Fury to return to the ring in September or October, rather than July, and that when he has a fight or two under his belt, they can then arrange the Joshua bout.
The Matchroom promoter said he is committed to making the bout happen, as Joshua is keen on fighting Fury.
The reference to Fury becoming a “Sky fighter” relates to the 28-year-old’s association with Frank Warren, BoxNation and BT Sport.
Not too far away https://t.co/MhUFGijkhW
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) May 2, 2017
This could it more difficult to make the fight occur, but Joshua’s camp seems set on the bout happening in the not too-distant future.
“We would jump at that fight straight away. I’m a promoter and I want the biggest fights, and that fight is just gold dust. Josh wants the fight badly.
“It’s not us, it’s him. We’re ready. Joshua would take that fight next but obviously Fury has a lot to overcome before he’s back in the ring.”
