Promoter Eddie Hearn has unveiled an ambitious two-fight blueprint for Anthony Joshua's highly anticipated return to heavyweight boxing, targeting two of the sport's biggest names in succession.
The Proposed Path: Wilder First, Then Fury
Speaking to the Daily Mail from Brooklyn on Wednesday, Hearn detailed the ideal scenario for Joshua's comeback. The plan involves a warmup bout against American powerhouse Deontay Wilder, followed by the colossal domestic clash with Tyson Fury that British fight fans have demanded for years.
'The AJ-Fury fight is one that we all need, you know, especially the Brits,' Hearn emphasised. 'Wilder would be a real nice warmup fight for AJ before Tyson Fury. So in an ideal world, we'll go Wilder for our warmup and then Tyson Fury.'
Joshua's Readiness and Recent Tragedy
Hearn stressed that Joshua is mentally and physically prepared to resume his career, despite the tragic car accident in Lagos, Nigeria on December 29, 2025. The incident claimed the lives of two of Joshua's friends and left the boxer with minor injuries.
Joshua's recent public appearances signal his commitment, according to Hearn. Typically a private individual who avoids ringside seats at other fighters' events, Joshua attended Wilder's split-decision victory over Derek Chisora in London last Saturday and plans to attend another event this weekend.
'AJ's ready for all the smoke,' Hearn declared. 'Trust me. He went to the show last Saturday. He's going this Saturday. This is very un-AJ like. He wants all the smoke. So for us, we'll have the warmup fight against Wilder, and then we'll fight Tyson Fury, and we're ready to sign for both.'
Wilder's Eagerness and Fury's Impatience
The 40-year-old Wilder, with a record of 45-4-1, has expressed immediate interest in finally facing Joshua after nearly a decade of failed negotiations. 'Let's do it,' Wilder directly told the 36-year-old Joshua following his win over Chisora.
However, 37-year-old Fury presents a different perspective. The former champion, who is coming out of retirement to face Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Saturday, urged immediate action on the Joshua fight without an intervening warmup bout.
'That [Wilder-Joshua] fight was supposed to happen so many times over the last 10 years but then someone has had one more fight in between and someone has got knocked out or injured,' Fury told reporters. 'I think we should get this fight on as soon as possible, in case something happens in between.'
The Cautionary Tale of Andy Ruiz Jr.
Fury's apprehension is understandable given boxing's unpredictable nature, particularly in the heavyweight division. He referenced Joshua's shocking 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden as a prime example.
What was meant to be a straightforward victory before lucrative bouts with Wilder and Fury turned into one of boxing's greatest upsets, costing Joshua his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles. Although Joshua reclaimed his belts in a Saudi Arabia rematch later that year, his career trajectory was permanently altered.
'The problem is, in heavyweight boxing, anything can go wrong, there are no easy fights,' Fury cautioned. 'And if you get knocked upside down, it's finished, it's done. I want the fight next and I am sure that AJ feels the same.'
Saudi Influence and Other Heavyweight Developments
Hearn acknowledged that any final plans must be coordinated with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, who now controls boxing's most substantial financial resources.
Meanwhile, the heavyweight landscape continues to evolve. Current champion Oleksandr Usyk is preparing for an unconventional bout against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at Egypt's Pyramids of Giza, maintaining activity while the British showdowns are negotiated.
The potential Joshua-Wilder-Fury sequence represents what could be Britain's most significant heavyweight confrontation since Lennox Lewis defeated Frank Bruno in 1993, promising to redefine the division's hierarchy and deliver the matchups fans have awaited for years.
