Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Anthony Joshua, has taken a firm stance against recent comments made by Tyson Fury suggesting that their long‑awaited showdown might never materialise. Drawing on the history of both fighters, Hearn reminded the media that Joshua has never backed out of a bout, positioning him as the more dependable of the two heavyweights. Both British champions are set to step back into the ring this week as a final test before the much‑anticipated clash.
Joshua will face Kristian Prenga, while Fury is slated to fight Mariusz Wach. These matches have been billed as essential "must‑win" warm‑ups, designed to confirm that each man is in peak condition ahead of their November encounter, the date and venue for which are still being finalised. In a recent Sky Sports interview, Fury hinted that he might consider an alternative opponent later in the year, casting a shadow over the planned bout with Joshua. Hearn responded swiftly, arguing that Fury, not Joshua, is the greater "flight risk" given his history of pulling out of high‑profile fights.
He pointed out that Fury has previously withdrawn from a scheduled clash with Joshua due to an arbitration ruling involving Deontay Wilder, whereas Joshua’s record shows no such cancellations. Ahead of his own fight against Prenga on Saturday, Joshua addressed the press with his characteristic confidence, declaring his ambition to "conquer the earth and then the universe". He deliberately avoided mentioning Fury directly, out of respect for his opponent, but added that he would be unfazed even if Fury, known as "The Gypsy King", were to sit ringside. This calm demeanor underscores Joshua’s focus on the task at hand while subtly reinforcing his readiness for the bigger fight.
"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 professionalism, noting that the former champion has never signed a contract for a fight he didn’t ultimately contest. "He’s got the most solid résumé and the most professional attitude of any fighter I've ever worked with," Hearn said, before contrasting this with Fury’s more erratic track record. Hearn also reminded viewers that Joshua previously signed to fight Fury before the latter withdrew, reinforcing the notion that the British heavyweight is the one who keeps his commitments.
"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 added, hinting that Fury’s doubts may be a tactical ploy to unsettle his opponent.
Logistical challenges are also in the mix. Brent Council has yet to be approached about extending Wembley Stadium’s curfew to accommodate a potential 2 a.m. ring walk for the Joshua‑Fury showdown. Turki Al‑Sheikh, the organiser of the all‑British clash, has expressed a desire for a start time that suits a global audience and plans to discuss the matter 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.
Wembley Stadium declined to comment on unannounced events when contacted by Sky Sports. While speculation continues, Hearn believes Fury’s recent statements are likely part of a mind‑game strategy, a hallmark of the "Gypsy King’s" pre‑fight tactics.
"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 said. According to Hearn, the only realistic scenarios that could derail the November fight are an injury or a defeat for 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.
Joshua’s opponent, Prenga, remains a relatively unknown challenger, yet all 20 of his professional victories have come by knockout, underscoring his punching power. Hearn cautioned that while Joshua is a seasoned finisher, the bout could still prove dangerous.
"If he sees an opportunity, he’ll try to seize it," Hearn noted, acknowledging the risk inherent in facing a heavy‑handed, motivated opponent. He also highlighted the emotional stakes for Joshua, who will be fighting not only for himself but also for the team members who have 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," Hearn said, adding depth to the personal motivations behind the fight. In summary, Hearn’s message to fans and the media is clear: the Joshua‑Fury showdown remains on track, provided neither fighter suffers a setback in the coming weekend. The promoter is confident that both athletes will emerge victorious from their respective warm‑up fights, paving the way for a historic clash that promises to be "epic", "spicy", and "box‑office" worthy.
He concluded with optimism, "God willing they both get the wins on Friday and Saturday and we can finally get this thing on."