Hearn confirms comeback fight before potential Tyson Fury clash as team prioritizes readiness
Eddie Hearn says Oleksandr Usyk supported Anthony Joshua taking a July comeback fight before facing Tyson Fury. The plan sets a return bout first to prepare for a potential clash later in the year.
Joshua has not fought since his December stoppage win over Jake Paul. Since then, attention has shifted to a possible showdown with Fury after Fury returned earlier this month and beat Arslanbek Makhmudov on points.
That fight night produced another public exchange between the two British heavyweights, but Joshua declined an in-ring face-off and instead questioned Fury’s performance. Since then, talk has grown over a two-fight package tied to Turki Alalshikh that would bring Joshua back in July before a Fury fight later in the year.
Eddie Hearn said that Usyk was involved in discussions over the plan, and that the Ukrainian supported the idea of Joshua taking an interim bout first.
“A lot of this has come through Oleksandr Usyk; he was part of these conversations.
And the conversations were: Absolutely, he’s having a comeback fight. He could’ve probably made more money to go straight into the fight.But [Team Joshua’s] like: ‘No way. We need to be 100% when we fight Tyson Fury.’” said Eddie Hearn to IFL TV
That stance says plenty. If Joshua were fully ready, the direct Fury fight would likely be the quickest route. Taking a July assignment instead suggests his side wants rounds, timing, and confidence before walking into one of boxing’s biggest events.
Joshua has also been rebuilding after the fatal December car crash in Nigeria that reportedly left him dealing with injuries while losing two close friends. A slower path back would be understandable.
If the July name is too soft, critics will dismiss it as protection. If it carries some risk, Joshua could enter a Fury fight in far better condition than he would by waiting.