Promoter Eddie Hearn has taken to the airwaves to remind fans that Anthony Joshua’s record shows he has never backed out of a bout, countering recent comments from Tyson Fury suggesting the all‑British heavyweight showdown might fall through. Both champions are slated to step back into the ring this week – Joshua versus Kristian Prenga and Fury taking on Mariusz Wach – in what promoters have billed as essential, must‑win warm‑up fights before the two giants finally meet. The anticipated clash is slated for November, though the exact date and venue remain under wraps. In a recent Sky Sports interview, Fury hinted that he could be open to fighting "somebody else" later in the year, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the much‑talked‑about showdown.
Hearn was quick to respond, arguing that Fury, not Joshua, is the more likely candidate to pull a vanishing act, given the former’s history of pulling out of high‑profile fights. Ahead of his own contest against Prenga on Saturday, Joshua addressed the media with his usual confidence, declaring his ambition to "conquer the earth and then the universe". He deliberately steered clear of direct commentary on Fury, stating that he did not wish to disrespect his upcoming opponent.
Still, he added a hint of bravado, noting that he would be unfazed even if "The Gypsy King" were sitting ringside. "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 praise Joshua’s consistency, asking rhetorically, "What fight has AJ ever signed for that he hasn't competed in? What fight has AJ ever pulled out of?" Hearn highlighted Joshua’s solid résumé and professional attitude, contrasting it with Fury’s more erratic past, including a previous withdrawal from a scheduled bout with Joshua due to an arbitration ruling involving Deontay Wilder. "If odds are being thrown around about who might pull out of this fight, trust me, it isn’t Anthony Joshua," Hearn asserted.
"Don't forget, AJ has not only fought every contender he could have, he also previously signed to fight Tyson Fury, who pulled out of the fight because of an arbitration ruling involving Deontay Wilder. So don’t worry about AJ, he's as game as they come.
But we have our doubts about whether Fury will turn up, especially if AJ looks great on Saturday night." Logistical questions have also surfaced. Brent Council has yet to be approached about extending Wembley Stadium’s curfew to accommodate a potential 2 a.m.
ring walk for the Fury‑vs‑Joshua event. Turki Al‑Sheikh, the mastermind behind the all‑British bout, has expressed a desire for a start time that suits a global audience and has indicated plans to discuss the matter with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan. Any extension beyond Wembley’s current 11 p.m. curfew would need approval from the stadium’s safety advisory group, of which the council is a member.
When Sky Sports reached out for comment, Wembley declined to speak on unannounced events. Hearn speculated that Fury’s recent doubts might be a tactical mind‑game, a way for the self‑styled "Gypsy King" to get under his opponent’s skin before the fight even begins. "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 added, "There will be mind games.
Fury is the self‑professed king of those and he's very good at it as well. 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." According to Hearn, the only realistic scenarios that could derail the November showdown are a loss or injury to either fighter in their upcoming weekend bouts. "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 explained. "Touch wood, especially the first one, hopefully neither of those will happen." Joshua’s opponent, Kristian Prenga, remains a relatively unknown quantity, but his record – 20 professional wins, all by knockout – suggests a dangerous challenge.
Hearn warned that while Joshua is a seasoned finisher, the fight could still be perilous. "Joshua is a great finisher, he's done that his whole career," Hearn said. "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." He noted that Prenga’s power and motivation could test Joshua’s discipline and focus. "There will be a lot going through his mind on Saturday.
Two guys who have been with him throughout his career won't be there. I'm sure he'll be fighting for them as well. 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." In summary, Hearn remains confident that the Joshua‑Fury clash will materialise, provided both athletes stay healthy and victorious in their respective warm‑up fights. He believes the psychological warfare is part of the spectacle and that the British heavyweight showdown will finally deliver the long‑awaited showdown that fans worldwide have been yearning for.