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Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has dismissed Tyson Fury’s suggestion that their long-anticipated heavyweight showdown could fail to materialise.
Both former world champions return to the ring this week in separate bouts widely viewed as crucial tune-ups ahead of a proposed “Battle of Britain” in November.
Fury, 37, takes on Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on Friday in a charity contest that will not be broadcast live. Joshua, 36, faces Albania’s Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
The British rivals are expected to meet later this year, although the date and venue have yet to be confirmed.
Fury recently told Sky Sports he was prepared to fight “somebody else” later this year, casting doubt on the long-awaited clash.
Responding, Hearn insisted Joshua had always honoured his commitments and suggested Fury’s track record raised more questions.
“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.
“What fight has AJ ever pulled out of? 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.
“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.”
Joshua’s fight against Prenga will be his first professional bout since a car crash in Nigeria in December claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, the two-time heavyweight champion said he was still struggling to come to terms with the deaths of his long-time rehabilitation coach, Sina Ghami, and personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
“It’s tough, every time I think about it, it hurts,” Joshua said. “Even talking about it now… pictures… it hurts but I keep my mind occupied. If I stop, you let it sink in and I’m not ready for it to sink in yet.”
Saturday’s contest will also mark Joshua’s first competitive outing since his knockout defeat to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
