Barry Hearn has delivered a clear verdict on the proposed heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, insisting the fight is still expected to go ahead later this year. The Matchroom promoter dismissed fears of a collapse, despite both boxers facing warm-up bouts this weekend.
Joshua, 36, is set to face Kristian Prenga on Saturday, while Fury, 37, takes on Mariusz Wach on Friday. Bookmakers have priced both wins as low as 1/16, but Hearn acknowledged the inherent risks in boxing.
Hearn on 'Banana Skin' Risks
When asked if the fight might not happen, Hearn told Mirror Sport: "No. I don't know if you've ever been hit on the chin by someone who weighs 17st... I haven't, and I don't want to. There's always the potential of a banana skin in boxing. History tells us that. I think it's unlikely in both cases, of course."
Hearn praised Joshua's focus, adding: "But Anthony Joshua, to his credit, he's not thinking beyond Saturday. He knows what's at stake here, a fight that he's wanted for 10 years has been signed for. All they have to do is deliver their respective victories, I believe that is a huge odds-on favourite."
Prenga's Team Dismissed
Prenga's team had claimed Joshua made a "big mistake" by fighting in Saudi Arabia, but Hearn dismissed their comments: "Kristian Prenga's team, of course, whilst they're entitled to their opinion, have absolutely no idea what they're talking about. They've never been in with an animal like Anthony Joshua, especially in his Usyk training regime that he's now adopted and embraced and realised that he thought he was doing the best training that he could ever do, and now he's seen another level, which has inspired him, which I like."
Hearn added: "I like people that are ready to embrace something new. So no, if there's always a banana skin, it's unlikely, and I can't wait for Tyson Fury against Anthony Joshua. It's been a long time in the making."
Fight Could Be One of the Biggest Ever
Hearn compared the potential clash to legendary bouts like the 'Rumble in the Jungle' and 'Thriller in Manila', both won by Muhammad Ali. He said: "Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua would be... I'm trying to think what would be bigger. You're at Muhammad Ali, the Rumble in the Jungle. You're at the thriller in Manila with Frazier and Ali. You're at that level, that sort of marketplace. It's creme de la creme, but in today's world, it's on Netflix, the Tyson Fury fight."
He continued: "It's just a massive global event. I mean, the big global events get bigger and bigger. We've just seen the World Cup possibly. Forget Argentina because they weren't my favourite team there. But there's a massive, massive commercial enterprise beyond their normal imagination, and Tyson Fury against Anthony Joshua is exactly the same."
Boxers' Records and Recent Fights
Joshua, from Watford, last fought in December 2025 against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, holding a record of 29 wins and four losses. Fury's most recent bout was against Arslanbek Makhmudov in April 2026, with just one loss in 38 professional fights. Both are former world champions and considered among Britain's greatest heavyweight fighters.
The November showdown, if it proceeds, is expected to be a multi-million pound event, though a final venue has yet to be decided.
