- Eddie Hearn has revealed all-british showdown may finally take place this year
- Both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua would head into the fight on back of losses
Eddie Hearn has revealed he has booked out Wembley Stadium ahead of a potential all-British showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The two British heavyweights have shared a long-running and bitter rivalry over the years, with constant speculation at times that a highly-anticipated fight between them will finally take place.
Yet, despite strong public support for a bout and significant conjecture and negotiations, a showdown has never materialised.
However, earlier this month, rumours circulated on social media that a fight had finally been agreed between Joshua and Fury in what would be dubbed as ‘The Battle of Britain’ and arguably the biggest fight in British boxing history, with a date set for April 26 at Wembley.
And Hearn has revealed he has reserved the iconic Wembley Stadium for the fight to potentially take place in ‘May or June’ – but admitted it all comes down to Fury’s decision after his recent loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
‘Yes. We’re looking to get back in the ring in May or June. If it ended up being July, it doesn’t really matter,’ Hearn told Sky Sports at the Ring Awards when asked if he has booked in a Wembley date.
Anthony Joshua (left) and Tyson Fury (right) have shared a bitter rivalry over the years
Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn says the showdown could finally take place this year
Hearn says he has reserved Wembley Stadium ahead of a potential ‘May or June’ clash
‘I still think it rests on Tyson Fury. Until the water settles on the defeat and where he’s at mentally and what he wants to do, that’s where we’re really going to find out.
‘Because when he looks at the options, what else is he going to do and who else is he going to fight?’.
Joshua earlier this month gave credence to the speculation of a fight against Fury by outlining his plan for the year ahead.
‘2025, I am targeting Tyson Fury,’ the 35-year-old explained during a trip to meet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
Joshua’s last fight came in September when he faced rising prospect Daniel Dubois in a bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
Ultimately though Dubois would hand AJ the fourth defeat of his professional career by stopping him in the fifth round and defending his IBF title in the process.
Joshua had been expected to rematch Dubois in early 2025 before he was convinced to recover from injuries and seek a return later in the year.
The Watford-born fighter told Ring Magazine: ‘After my last fight I took some time out. I let my body heal, which I’m still working on now, and I declined some business opportunities so I could focus on the sport, which takes off mental pressure as well as physically.
Joshua’s last fight came in September when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois
Meanwhile, Fury suffered a second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk last month
‘I went away with family which is always good and we’re back again for 2025 and I feel good.
‘It’s a fight [Joshua vs Fury] I want to see, because I’m a fan of boxing, so I want to get that fight underway.
‘When I’m in the local gym everyone is asking me, and the reason I decided to do some interesting stuff (on social media) is because I haven’t got many years ahead of me. I’ve had more years behind me.
‘So what I want to do is leave the game with a bang and make an impact.
‘Be outlandish, a great character, have fun with it while we’re doing it and go for the big fights. Tyson Fury is one of them.
‘Every time I see people they say: “When you fighting Fury?” The Irish community, English community, Nigerian community, everyone is asking me the same question.
‘As a fighter, it’s up to me to deliver. It has to happen this year.’
