Eddie Hearn, the man who runs Matchroom Boxing, stepped in to refute recent comments from Tyson Fury that suggested the much‑anticipated all‑British heavyweight showdown might never materialise. Hearn reminded the media that history shows Anthony Joshua has never backed out of a bout, and he used that fact to underline his confidence that the fight will go ahead. Both champions are set to step back into the ring this week as a final test before the supposed November clash.
Joshua will face Kristian Prenga, while Fury is scheduled to meet Mariusz Wach. The two contests have been promoted as must‑win warm‑ups, each designed to prove that the fighters are still in top condition and ready for the ultimate showdown. The November meeting has been widely discussed, but no official date or venue has been confirmed. In a recent Sky Sports interview, Fury hinted that he might be open to fighting another opponent later in the year, casting a shadow over the proposed Joshua‑Fury bout.
Hearn responded swiftly, arguing that Fury, not Joshua, is the one who has a history of pulling out of fights. Ahead of his own fight against Prenga, Joshua addressed the press and spoke of his lofty ambitions – he said he wants to "conquer the earth and then the universe" – but he deliberately avoided mentioning Fury, out of respect for his opponent. He did add, however, that he would be unfazed if Fury – who calls himself the Gypsy King – were to sit ringside for the night.
"Look at history," Hearn told Sky Sports. "Check the facts, check the resume. 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 He went on to point out that Joshua has never signed a fight and then withdrawn, whereas Fury has done so before, most notably when an arbitration ruling involving Deontay Wilder forced him to cancel a previously agreed‑upon bout with Joshua. "What fight has AJ ever signed for that he's not competed in?
What fight has AJ ever pulled out of?" Hearn asked rhetorically. "He's got the most solid resume 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." He added that the only realistic scenarios that could derail the November fight are a loss or an injury to either competitor in their upcoming matches. "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," Hearn said.
"Touch wood, especially the first one, hopefully neither of those will happen." The logistical side of the event is also under discussion. Brent Council has yet to be approached about extending Wembley Stadium's curfew, which currently ends at 11 p.m., to accommodate a potential 2 a.m.
ring walk for the Fury‑Joshua clash. The bout's promoter, Turki Al‑Sheikh, has expressed a desire to schedule the fight at a time that suits a global audience and has indicated he will speak with London Mayor Sadiq Khan about the matter. Any extension would need approval from Wembley’s safety advisory group, of which Brent Council is a member. When Sky Sports reached out for comment, Wembley declined to comment on unannounced events.
Hearn believes Fury's recent uncertainty may be a psychological tactic – an attempt to get inside Joshua's head before the big night. "This build‑up is going to be epic," he said. "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." He also warned that Fury is a self‑professed master of mind games and may think he can secure a psychological edge before the first bell. "Fury 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," Hearn asserted. Regarding Joshua's opponent, Kristian Prenga, Hearn acknowledged that the challenger is relatively unknown but highlighted his impressive knockout record – all 20 of his professional victories have come by stoppage. He cautioned that while Joshua is a proven finisher, the fight could still be dangerous. "If he sees an opportunity, he'll try to seize it.
But I think it's a dangerous fight. Everybody talks about it being routine for AJ, but a lot has happened in his life. He's had to come back from a huge amount physically, mentally and emotionally," Hearn explained. He noted that Joshua will be fighting not just for himself but also for the two people who have stood by him throughout his career, adding an emotional layer to the bout.
"Then there's the challenge of a big, strong, heavy‑handed, motivated fighter who's coming to change his life. AJ has to take him out before he takes you out. That's heavyweight boxing. Prenga is dangerous.
If he catches you on the chin, you'll know about it. AJ has got to be disciplined and switched on," Hearn concluded.
In summary, Hearn's message to fans and the media is clear: Anthony Joshua is a dependable, battle‑tested champion who has never shied away from a fight, while Tyson Fury's recent comments may simply be part of his psychological strategy. Unless an unexpected injury or loss occurs this weekend, the heavyweight world can expect the long‑awaited British clash to finally happen later this year, promising a night of drama, high stakes, and potentially historic significance for the sport.