Eddie Hearn, the British promoter behind the much‑anticipated all‑British heavyweight showdown, stepped into the spotlight to defend Anthony Joshua’s reliability after Tyson Fury hinted that the clash might not materialise. Hearn reminded everyone that history shows Joshua has never backed out of a scheduled bout, while Fury’s own record includes several cancellations and postponements. Both fighters are set to step into the ring this week as a final test before the supposed November showdown.
Joshua will face Kristian Prenga, a relatively unknown but powerful challenger, on Saturday, while Fury will take on Mariusz Wach later in the weekend. These matches have been billed as "must‑win" warm‑ups, intended to prove that each heavyweight is still in peak condition and ready for the ultimate British battle. The date and venue for the Joshua‑Fury encounter have yet to be confirmed, but the two camps have been publicly flirting with the idea for months.
In a recent Sky Sports interview, Fury expressed uncertainty, suggesting he might be open to fighting "somebody else" later in the year if the logistics or timing for the Joshua fight prove problematic. Hearn quickly countered, arguing that Fury, not Joshua, poses the greater risk of pulling out, citing the Gypsy King’s history of walk‑outs and arbitration disputes. Ahead of his bout with Prenga, Joshua addressed the media with his characteristic confidence, declaring his ambition to "conquer the earth and then the universe." He deliberately avoided commenting on Fury, stating that he did not want to disrespect his immediate opponent.
Nonetheless, he added that he would be unfazed even if Fury were to sit ringside during the Prenga fight, underscoring his mental readiness for any scenario. "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 reminded listeners that Joshua had previously signed a deal to face Fury, only for Fury to withdraw due to 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," Hearn said.
The logistical side of the fight is also under scrutiny. Brent Council has yet to be approached about extending Wembley Stadium’s curfew beyond its current 11 p.m.
limit to accommodate a potential 2 a.m. ring walk for the Joshua‑Fury bout.
Turki Al‑Sheikh, the Saudi businessman spearheading the all‑British clash, has indicated he wants the event to suit a global audience, and he plans to discuss timing with London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. Any extension would need approval from Wembley’s safety advisory group, of which the council is a member. When Sky Sports reached out for comment, Wembley declined to comment on unannounced events.
Hearn suspects Fury’s public doubts may be another psychological tactic. "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 that mind games are a hallmark of Fury’s strategy. "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," Hearn explained.
According to Hearn, the only realistic scenarios that could derail the November fight are a loss or injury to either heavyweight 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 warned, adding a hopeful "touch wood" for both fighters. Prenga, Joshua’s Saturday opponent, remains something of an enigma. All 20 of his professional wins have come by knockout, making him a dangerous prospect despite his low profile.
Hearn cautioned against underestimating him, noting that Joshua is a natural finisher who will seize any opening, but also emphasizing the risk: "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 reflected on the personal motivations driving Joshua, suggesting that the heavyweight will be fighting not just for himself but for the team that has supported him throughout his career.
"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," he said. He concluded with a reminder that heavyweight boxing is unforgiving: "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."