Anthony Joshua hoping to fight Tyson Fury in November as Hearn tells Gypsy King to ‘hurry up’ with Deontay Wilder fight
EDDIE HEARN has urged Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder to “hurry up” with their trilogy fight in order to clear the way for a blockbuster all-British unification bout with Anthony Joshua.
Hearn, AJ’s promoter, had earlier confirmed that it had been agreed with MTK and Top Rank that a unification fight between Joshua and Fury would be negotiated next, if Wilder were to opt against exercising his rematch clause.
But just hours before the Gypsy King triumphantly returned to the UK this morning, the Bronze Bomber defiantly confirmed that he would be having another shot at Fury.
This has frustrated Hearn, although the 40-year-old understands the decision.
He told talkSPORT: “I’m disappointed, but obviously understand it as well.
“He was the champion, he’s lost his belt and wants to win it back.
“I don’t think people want to see the third fight. They’ve had 19 rounds now, I think Wilder’s probably won three of them, and in the last fight he didn’t win any and he got battered.
“But I understand the contractual position. He does have a right to a rematch clause and it looks like he’s exercising it.
“I’d just say ‘hurry up please’ and do it quickly.”
The terms of the rematch clause state that it would have to take place by the end of July – at which point Joshua will be occupied by his fight with Kubrat Pulev at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
We just hope they get on with it and get it out the way.
Eddie Hearn on Wilder - Fury III
The 30-year-old will face mandatory IBF challenger Pulev in London on June 20.
But the hulking 6ft 6in Brit won’t want to waste any time before fighting Fury – potentially in November if team AJ get their way.
And on Fury – Wilder III, Hearn added: “We just hope they get on with it and get it out the way.
“We can’t get Fury, we’ve got to fight Pulev and we’ll get that out the way. Hopefully Fury can get his out of the way and we can get this done in November/December of this year.
“Let’s get these wins, let’s start negotiating, and make sure it’s all in place. No banana skins, all business, AJ beat Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur, Fury beat Wilder again, probably in America, and let’s make it happen.
“You’ll get some crazy numbers around the world to host it, but how often are we going to get the chance for two Brits to fight for the undisputed heavyweight world championship?
“To do it at Wembley Stadium would be extremely special.
“We’ve got the chance now to make an undisputed fight between two British heavyweight world champions. We would be daft and mad not to make this happen.”
These plans could be scuppered however, by a delay to Fury – Wilder III.
Team Fury are relaxed on the timing of the fight, despite the terms of the rematch clause, which could see them wait until September or October to stage the trilogy bout.
Fury’s promoter Bob Arum said: “Let’s see how this all plays out, and just know that whatever decision the Wilder camp makes, Top Rank and Tyson Fury will respect it.
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“There’s no hurry. If they say yes, then we’re off to the races. But again, I want to be clear about it, that the ball’s in their court, and they don’t have to decide this right away.
“They probably should check on his physical condition and so forth.”
If this delay comes to pass, Joshua may then find himself having to defend his belts against WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk – as the Brit faces a battle to juggle his four belts.
