2026-04-15 10:15:22

Eddie Hearn has suggested that Anthony Joshua could have a warm-up fight before taking on Tyson Fury in November.

The promoter confirmed that Joshua has received a contract for a blockbuster clash against Fury but indicated that the fighter could tune up with an outing in the ring this summer – following on from his involvement in a car accident in Nigeria last December that tragically cost the lives of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Hearn told Sky Sports: “I don’t know if Fury has signed or not, that is his business. If he has then that is great.

“We received the contract last week, we are going through that.

“Obviously there has been a lot happening in AJ’s life and we want to make sure that he is ready to return to the ring.

“He is about to get the all clear in terms of the physical side to return to full training and that is great news.

“We expect to see him back in the ring in July. The original plan was to fight in March, then to fight Tyson Fury in August.

“Given everything that has happened, that has been delayed. July and November are the two dates that have been presented to us now and we expect to move forward.”

There has been speculation that Joshua could take on Deontay Wilder this summer and Hearn confirmed that he and the two-time heavyweight world champion are exploring the prospect of facing the American pugilist and Fury “back-to-back”.

The Matchroom chief said: “I think it is very likely [he will have a tune-up fight]. Given what happened, we were supposed to be doing that anyway.

“Fury has just had his tune-up fight with 12 really vital rounds to get him sharp for the next one and I expect us to do the same.

“Wilder would be a separate deal. We have made it clear we are willing to fight Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury back-to-back.

“I am not being disrespectful that Wilder is a warm-up fight but AJ is very comfortable to go into that fight next.

“That is not the basis of the deal we have been offered but it is one we would be very interested in if it were offered and we want to look at that route.

“Some might perceive that to be the more dangerous option, especially when there is so much riding on Fury against Joshua, Netflix, everybody.

“I think they will probably be looking for a slightly easier option for Joshua like Fury had, with all due respect, and then move straight into that fight.

“100 per cent. [A warm-up fight in July then Fury in November] is the plan.”

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