Eddie Hearn, the man who runs Matchroom Boxing, has taken a firm stance against recent comments from Tyson Fury that have cast uncertainty over a prospective showdown with fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua. Hearn reminded the media that, historically, Joshua has never backed out of a bout, contrasting his reliability with Fury’s more erratic record of cancellations.
Both fighters are slated to step back into the ring this week as part of their final warm‑up fights before the anticipated November encounter. Joshua will face Kristian Prenga, while Fury is set to meet Mariusz Wach, each bout billed as a must‑win test that could shape the narrative heading into their much‑talked‑about clash. The long‑awaited meeting between the two British champions is still awaiting a confirmed date and venue, but recent remarks from Fury during a Sky Sports interview have suggested he might be open to fighting someone else later in the year if the Joshua bout does not materialise.
Hearn fired back, arguing that Fury, not Joshua, represents the greater risk of a last‑minute withdrawal. He highlighted Joshua’s flawless attendance record, noting that the former champion has never signed a contract and then walked away. In contrast, Hearn pointed out Fury’s history of pulling out of high‑profile fights, most notably the aborted showdown with Deontay Wilder that was halted by an arbitration ruling. On the eve of his fight with Prenga, Joshua addressed the press and spoke in grand terms about his ambition to "conquer the earth and then the universe." He deliberately avoided commenting on Fury, out of respect for his upcoming opponent, but did add that he would be unfazed if Fury – known as the Gypsy King – were to sit ringside.
This diplomatic approach underscored Joshua’s focus on his own performance rather than the surrounding speculation. Hearn’s comments to Sky Sports were unequivocal. He urged viewers to "look at the history" and compare the two fighters' résumés. "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 said.
He praised Joshua’s professionalism, calling him the most dependable and disciplined athlete he has ever worked with. When asked whether Fury could be the one to bail, Hearn responded, "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 concerns have also entered the conversation. 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‑Joshua bout. The promoter, Turki Al‑Sheikh, who is spearheading the all‑British clash, has indicated he wants a start time that maximises global TV audiences and has signalled intentions to discuss the matter with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan.
Any extension to the stadium’s current 11 p.m. curfew 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 unconfirmed events.
Hearn believes Fury’s recent statements may be part of a psychological ploy. He suggested that the Gypsy King enjoys mind games and might be trying to get under Joshua’s skin before the first bell.
"This build‑up is going to be epic," Hearn 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." According to Hearn, the only realistic scenarios that could derail the November showdown are a defeat or an injury to either fighter 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 warned, adding a hopeful "touch wood" for both athletes. Prenga, Joshua’s opponent, remains something of an enigma.
Though he boasts a perfect 20‑0 record, every victory has come via knockout, making him a dangerous adversary. Hearn cautioned that while Joshua is a proven finisher, the fight will test his discipline and focus.
"If he sees an opportunity, he'll try to seize it," Hearn noted, acknowledging that a single well‑placed punch could change the night’s trajectory. He also highlighted the emotional stakes for Joshua, who will be fighting not just for himself but for the team members who have stood by him throughout his career.
In summary, the lead‑up to a potential Fury‑Joshua clash is a blend of promotional bravado, logistical negotiations, and genuine concern over fighter readiness. Hearn’s confidence in Joshua’s reliability contrasts sharply with his skepticism of Fury’s commitment, while both fighters continue to prepare for their respective warm‑up bouts.
As the heavyweight division watches closely, the next few weeks will determine whether the much‑anticipated British heavyweight showdown can finally move from speculation to reality.