Eddie Hearn warns Joshua and Fury mega-fight is off if either loses warm-up
Promoter Eddie Hearn has warned that the highly anticipated November heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will be cancelled if either British fighter loses their respective summer warm-up bouts.
Both heavyweights have officially signed contracts for a massive collision earmarked for later this year.
However, the two boxing superstars are scheduled to take interim fights before stepping into the ring together.
The former Olympian will face Kristian Prenga on 25 July in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while his long-time rival is also seeking a tune-up contest.
High stakes for summer returns
“In my opinion if either fighter loses, you cannot do the fight,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
The Matchroom Boxing chairman admitted he will feel significant anxiety when his client makes his ringwalk next month.
“I will feel sick at the ringwalk on July 25, especially with what AJ’s come back from,” he added.
Hearn noted that despite positive signs in training camp, there are still major hurdles to overcome in this crucial comeback appearance.
Potential first face-to-face meeting
The much-discussed opponents did not cross paths after the “Gypsy King” secured a recent comeback victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Despite the missed opportunity, Hearn hopes the Manchester-born heavyweight will attend the upcoming Riyadh event to confront the Watford native.
“When they come face to face for the first time, it will give every sports fan the shivers because this is something they will never forget,” Hearn stated.
Shared card remains a possibility
There is an outside chance that both British fighters could compete on the same bill in Saudi Arabia to prepare for their lucrative November meeting.
Hearn confirmed he has no objections to a shared event, though he acknowledged it might be difficult to convince Fury to fight on an undercard.
The final decision on scheduling ultimately rests with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
“I think everybody’s extremely focused, now that both fighters have signed, on just getting through the next couple of months and making sure we can give the world this mega-event,” Hearn concluded.