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Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua’s promoter, wants an undisputed title fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury
British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who promotes Anthony Joshua, has called for Tyson Fury — fresh off of beating Deontay Wilder by TKO — to face Joshua in an undisputed title match.
When Fury beat Wilder on Saturday night he earned the WBC heavyweight title. Joshua is the owner of the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles. With all the major heavyweight titles in the world belonging to British fighters, Hearn believes now is the perfect time to put all the belts on the line in a UK vs. UK mega-fight.
“For me, we should go straight into AJ v Fury next,” said Hearn to Sky Sports shortly after Fury vs. Wilder II. “No one wants to see a third fight [between Fury and Wilder].”
For fights in the United States, Fury is promoted by Top Rank and Bob Arum. Top Rank also promotes Kubrat Pulev, who is expected to be Joshua’s next opponent. Hearn believes Top Rank may be willing to co-operate in switching out Pulev for Fury to help make what would be an extremely high-profile and profitable fight.
At his post-fight press conference last night Fury was asked about the possibility of fighting Joshua. “The spoils of war have just happened. Deontay needs time to recover but I’m almost sure he will take a rematch. I’m pretty sure we’ll do it again, if he wants to. If he doesn’t want to… whoever’s next will get the same treatment.”
Wilder has a 30-day rematch clause in his contract which, if he exercises, will ensure an immediate trilogy fight with Fury.
The loss to Fury was Wilder’s first defeat ever. It dropped his pro record to 42-1-1. His previous fight with Fury, on December 1st, 2018, ended in a controversial draw. Between fights with Fury Wilder knocked out Dominic Breazeale and Luis Ortiz.
Joshua recently avenged the first loss of his career, when he defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. by unanimous decision on December 7th, 2019. That win took Joshua’s record to 23-1.