Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn has reignited hopes of an Anthony Joshua–Tyson Fury showdown, describing it as the “biggest fight in boxing” and a bout that simply must happen before both men hang up their gloves.
“It would be a real, real shame if Tyson and AJ never fought,” Hearn told reporters. “I don’t really have many regrets, but I think we would always kick ourselves if we never saw that fight. It’s the biggest fight in boxing.
You can’t even compare anything we’ve done so far – Froch-Groves, AJ-Klitschko, Benn-Eubank. This is completely different. It shuts down the country.”
Hearn believes the clash would go beyond belts and bragging rights, calling it the fight the British public has demanded for years.
“They’re two very different but great fighters, two great personalities, two completely different individuals. For me, it’s a must. Tell me a bigger fight in boxing? It doesn’t exist.”
Joshua recently stoked the rivalry by labelling Fury “dippy” in a social media post, underlining his hunger to face the former WBC champion.
The 35-year-old has not fought since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois last year, while Fury last stepped into the ring in December 2024, suffering a second successive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk before announcing his retirement.
Despite Fury’s declaration, Hearn remains optimistic the Gypsy King will return. “You can see across Fury’s social media, he’s training, which gives you hope. I think people around him feel like he’ll return, but you never know.”
Hearn revealed Joshua is targeting a tune-up fight early next year before a possible all-British blockbuster with Fury. “The good news is AJ is recovered, injury-free and ready to start training camp. He’s fired up and still has a lot to give.”
Boxing great Lennox Lewis has also thrown his weight behind the idea, insisting the “whole world” wants to see the long-awaited clash.
As for concerns about legacy, Hearn dismissed them: “Ultimately, you take the fights, and if you’re good enough, you win.
AJ wants to be remembered as someone who fought everybody. The legacy comes from giving people great fights. Personally, he wants to knock Fury out. But from a legacy perspective, it’s about taking on all comers.”
With Joshua eager, Fury training again, and public demand at fever pitch, Hearn says it’s now just a matter of making the fight happen. “Let’s find out who is the biggest name and best Brit of this generation.”