Hearn Says Anthony Joshua Vs. Tyson Fury Hinges on July 25 Wins

Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury is already signed for November of this year, but Eddie Hearn says the fight disappears if either man slips first. Joshua must get through a comeback bout on July 25 in Saudi Arabia, while Fury is also looking for a summer tune-up before the planned heavyweight meeting.

Joshua’s July 25 test

Hearn drew the line at the warm-up fights. "In my opinion if either fighter loses, you cannot do the fight," he said, making July 25 the first real checkpoint for the bigger matchup. Joshua’s return comes against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, and Hearn said, "I will feel sick at the ringwalk on July 25. Especially with what AJ's come back from. I mean there is that worry. Will he be the same? Everything we see in camp and in sparring lends us to suggest yes. But there's a lot to overcome. That's the importance of this fight as well in July."

Fury’s Riyadh role

Fury did not face Joshua after his comeback win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, and Hearn wants him in Riyadh for Joshua’s fight. "I'd be shocked if he wasn't in Riyadh July 25. Because that's the moment," Hearn said, adding that Fury could have his warm-up fight on the same bill. He also said he does not think Fury is going to have a fight of any significance.

That leaves July 25 as the hinge point for a fight that has already been signed. Hearn said, "Now we have signed to fight Tyson Fury. He has signed to fight Anthony Joshua. The only thing that stands in the way is July 25." If Joshua and Fury both win their interim bouts, November stays alive; if either loses, the main event is off the table.

Hearn also said the first face-to-face meeting between the two would land a real jolt. "They've never come face to face. When they come face to face for the first time, it will give every sports fans the shivers. Because this [fight] is something they will never forget." For now, the Saudi card is the part that decides whether the heavyweight meeting keeps moving.