Anthony Joshua could extend his boxing career for another three years as he closes in on a long-awaited fight with bitter rival Tyson Fury. Negotiations for the blockbuster heavyweight bout have reached the final stages, with promoter Eddie Hearn confirming that while no contract has been signed, the final points are being ironed out.
Warm-Up Fight in July
Joshua is expected to return to the ring in July for a comeback bout before facing Fury in November. The 'Battle of Britain' would likely be promoted by Sela and broadcast live on Netflix. Hearn could not confirm the location of Joshua's summer fight but expressed hope that Saudi Arabia's boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh would stage the Fury bout in the United Kingdom.
Hearn's Comments
“We will have a contract and we haven’t signed a contract yet, but we are negotiating the final points in an agreement to come back to the ring in July and (then) fight Tyson Fury,” Hearn told iFL TV. “Once we sign up for that agreement, it is over to (Turki) for the staging. We (Matchroom) will be promoting for July. I would think that the November fight or whatever it will be, will be promoted by Sela.”
“The good news is if we take a (warm-up) fight like this, we have signed to fight Tyson Fury and all you’ve got to do is bite your fingernails in July for 36 minutes or less and you’ve got not the fight of the century, the fight of all-time.”
Joshua's Future
Hearn revealed that Joshua could continue until 2029, stating: “He wants to go on for another three years.” Fury, meanwhile, had warned Joshua not to waste time with a warm-up fight, despite being involved in his own tune-up bout with Arslanbek Makhmudo.
Usyk's Influence
Hearn disclosed that advice from undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk finalized plans for Joshua to have one contest before November. “I am sure they won’t mind me saying it, a lot of this has come from Oleksandr Usyk. He was part of these conversations and the conversations were absolutely he is having a comeback fight,” Hearn said.
The verbal sparring between Joshua and Fury at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this month added excitement to a contest that has been in the works multiple times but fell through. Hearn is hopeful the fight will take place in the UK, emphasizing Turki Alalshikh's desire to make history and deliver for the fans.
