Promoter Eddie Hearn has stepped into the spotlight to counter recent remarks made by Tyson Fury, who suggested that the long‑awaited all‑British heavyweight showdown might not materialise. Hearn reminded everyone that, historically, Anthony Joshua has never backed out of a bout, contrasting Fury’s own record of cancellations. Both fighters are slated to step back into the ring this week as final warm‑ups before their potential November clash.
Joshua will face Kristian Prenga, while Fury is set to meet Mariusz Wach. These contests have been billed as must‑win tests, intended to confirm each champion’s readiness for the much‑anticipated showdown. The British titans are expected to finally meet in November, though the exact date and venue remain unannounced.
In a recent Sky Sports interview, Fury hinted at uncertainty, saying he might be willing to fight "somebody else" later in the year if the Joshua fight falls through. Hearn responded swiftly, arguing that Fury, not Joshua, is the more likely candidate to pull a disappearing act, given the Gypsy King’s history of pulling out of high‑profile matches.
Ahead of his fight against Prenga on Saturday, Joshua addressed the media with characteristic confidence, declaring his ambition to "conquer the earth and then the universe." He deliberately avoided mentioning Fury, out of respect for his immediate opponent, yet added that he would be unfazed even if Fury were sitting ringside. "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 continued, emphasizing Joshua’s flawless record of 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 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." Hearn reminded viewers that Joshua had previously signed a bout with Fury, which was cancelled 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," he said.
The logistical side of the fight is also under discussion. Brent Council has yet to be approached about extending Wembley Stadium's curfew to allow a 2 a.m. ring walk for the Joshua‑Fury encounter. Turki Al‑Sheikh, the architect of the all‑British clash, has expressed a desire to schedule the event at a time that suits a global audience, and he plans to negotiate with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan.
Any extension to Wembley’s current 11 p.m. curfew would need approval from the stadium’s safety advisory group, of which Brent Council is a member.
When Sky Sports reached out to Wembley for comment, the venue declined to speak on unannounced events. Whether Fury’s doubts have any substance remains to be seen, but Hearn suspects they may be a 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." Hearn also warned that mind games are part of Fury’s arsenal.
"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," he explained.
According to Hearn, the only realistic scenarios that could derail the November fight are a defeat or an injury to either combatant 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 fighters. Joshua’s opponent, Prenga, remains a relatively unknown quantity, yet all 20 of his professional victories have come by knockout, prompting Hearn to urge caution. "Joshua is a great finisher, he's done that his whole career.
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 noted.
He continued, "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’s message is clear: Anthony Joshua has a pristine track record of honoring his commitments, while Tyson Fury’s recent comments raise legitimate concerns about his reliability. The upcoming warm‑up fights will serve as crucial indicators of form and fitness, and unless an unexpected injury or upset occurs, the heavyweight world can anticipate a blockbuster clash between the two British giants later this year.