Eddie Hearn, the man who runs Matchroom Boxing, has taken to the airwaves to remind fans that Anthony Joshua has never backed out of a bout. He made those comments after Tyson Fury, the self‑styled "Gypsy King," hinted that the much‑anticipated all‑British heavyweight showdown might fall through. Hearn’s message was clear: the real flight risk lies with Fury, not Joshua. Both heavyweight champions are set to step back into the ring this week as part of their final warm‑up fights before the November showdown.
Joshua will face Kristian Prenga, while Fury is scheduled to meet Mariusz Wach. The two matches are being billed as make‑or‑break tests, with each fighter needing a decisive victory to cement his claim as the rightful challenger for the other’s crown. The long‑awaited clash between the British titans is slated for November, though the exact date and venue remain under wraps. In a recent Sky Sports interview, Fury suggested he might be open to fighting someone else later in the year, casting a shadow over the planned bout.
Hearn responded swiftly, pointing to Fury’s own history of pulling out of fights, most notably the aborted showdown with Deontay Wilder that was halted by an arbitration ruling. "Look at history," Hearn told Sky Sports. "Check the facts, check the résumé.
If you really want to pick one fighter who's more reliable than the other, I don't think it's a close‑run race." He went on to highlight Joshua’s spotless record when it comes to honoring contracts: "What fight has AJ ever signed for that he's not competed in? What fight has AJ ever pulled out of?
He's got the most solid résumé and the most professional attitude of any fighter I've ever worked with. Can we say the same about Tyson Fury? No.
That's the reality of the situation." Hearn underscored that the only thing that could derail the November fight would be an injury or a loss this weekend. "The only thing that's going to stop the fight from happening in November is if one of these guys gets beat this weekend or picks up an injury," he said, adding a hopeful "touch wood" for both athletes. Joshua, for his part, kept his focus on his upcoming bout with Prenga.
At his press conference, he spoke in lofty terms, saying his ambition was to "conquer the earth and then the universe," but he deliberately avoided mentioning Fury out of respect for his immediate opponent. He did, however, note that he would be unfazed even if Fury were sitting ringside watching. Prenga remains a relatively unknown challenger, but his record tells a story of raw power: all 20 of his professional victories have come by knockout. Hearn warned that while Joshua is a proven finisher, the fight could still prove dangerous.
"If he sees an opportunity, he'll try to seize it," Hearn said, acknowledging that a single clean shot could change the night’s narrative. Beyond the fighters themselves, logistical details are still being ironed out. The proposed venue, Wembley Stadium, currently operates under an 11 p.m. curfew.
Brent Council, the local authority that would need to approve any extension, has not yet been approached about allowing a 2 a.m. ring walk for the Fury‑Joshua showdown. Organiser Turki Al‑Sheikh has expressed a desire to schedule the fight at a time that accommodates a global audience, and talks with London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan are reportedly underway. When Sky Sports reached out to Wembley for comment on the unannounced event, the stadium declined to respond, leaving fans to speculate about the final arrangements.
Hearn believes Fury’s recent comments may be part of a mind‑game strategy designed to get under Joshua’s skin before the fight. "Fury is the self‑professed king of those [mind games] and he's very good at it as well," Hearn observed. "He will think he can win the fight that way, before the first bell, but I think he will be very disappointed.
AJ is mature enough to deal with that now." The promotional narrative is shaping up to be as dramatic as the potential clash itself. Hearn described the build‑up as "epic" and predicted a massive box‑office draw: "We know the fight is going to be epic. In and out of the ring, this is going to be box office. We've waited a long time for this.
It's going to be spicy, funny and compelling. Two very different characters. God willing they both get the wins on Friday and Saturday and we can finally get this thing on." As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on Joshua’s performance against Prenga.
Hearn cautioned that while Joshua has a reputation as a relentless finisher, the stakes are high and the opponent is dangerous: "If he catches you on the chin, you'll know about it. AJ has got to be disciplined and switched on." The outcome of that fight will not only affect Joshua’s confidence but also set the tone for the psychological warfare that will inevitably spill over into the November bout. In summary, Eddie Hearn is confident that Anthony Joshua will honor his commitment to face Tyson Fury, emphasizing Joshua’s flawless track record and professional demeanor.
He suggests that any doubts about the fight’s future are more likely to stem from Fury’s own history of withdrawals. With both fighters gearing up for their respective warm‑up bouts, the heavyweight world waits anxiously to see whether the November showdown will finally materialise, promising a showdown that could define an era of British boxing.