Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury 'should have two fights, sail off into sunset' if Oleksandr Usyk wins again - Eddie Hearn
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Published 25/09/2024 at 20:42 GMT+1
Anthony Joshua's next move is a mystery after his bruising defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. A rematch could be on the cards, but AJ's promoter, Eddie Hearn, hinted that a stellar clash with Tyson Fury is still an option if the latter loses to Oleksandr Usyk. "I think AJ and Fury should have two fights and sail off into the sunset," Hearn exclusively told TNT Sports.
'Joshua and Fury should have two fights and sail off into sunset' if Usyk wins rematch - Hearn
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wounded Anthony Joshua will “want to go straight back in” with Daniel Dubois in a rematch, says Eddie Hearn, but he believes a long-anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury is another option.
Joshua suffered a humbling defeat to Dubois at a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, going down to a fifth-round knockout.
The loss raised questions about what the future holds for the 34-year-old former unified world heavyweight champion, but his promoter Hearn told TNT Sports that several high-profile fights are being considered.
“When you look back at his defeats, we’ve always jumped straight back in,” Hearn said in an exclusive interview.
“When he lost to Andy Ruiz, everyone said ‘whatever you do, don’t fight Ruiz straight away. Come back, have a 10-rounder',
”AJ went, ‘absolutely no chance – I should’ve beaten Ruiz, I can beat Ruiz, let me rematch him’. He goes out and wins every round.
“[Oleksandr] Usyk - a lot of people said we shouldn’t have fought him in the first place. AJ got well beaten there.
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Highlights: Dubois batters Joshua in heavyweight classic at Wembley
Video credit: TNT Sports
“[I thought] I know it’s a shot at the world heavyweight title again, but... no. [He thought], 'I’m rematching Usyk'. He performed much better, but didn’t win.
“Now, we feel that we should be beating Daniel Dubois and we can beat Daniel Dubois. But are you ready to go straight back in with him?
“We have that option under contract. I know that His Excellency wants the immediate rematch. Probably February time. Is that too early? Is there a spot later? We know that Riyadh Season finishes at the end of February/early March.
“Do we wait for Tyson Fury? If Tyson Fury loses [to Usyk in December], I think AJ and Fury should have two fights and sail off into the sunset.
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“If Tyson Fury wins, he defends against AJ for the unified world heavyweight championship. So we get another crack at the title there as well.
“In AJ’s mind, he will want to go straight back in with Dubois. I know what he’s like. But this is a very important decision and we’re three days after the fact. So, give us a bit of time.
“Then make a decision for what will be the closing chapter of his career. I said to him you’ve got between one and three fights left.
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'Best thing I've ever seen' – Reaction to 'outstanding' Dubois win and AJ's 'insane' tactics
Video credit: TNT Sports
”Then the phone went very quiet. It was the realisation that we’re on the home straight. Hopefully the final chapter can be the best yet.”
Two defeats to Usyk in 2021 and 2022 left Joshua needing to rebuild his career, which he did with victories over Jermaine Franklin, Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius and Francis Ngannou, before being spectacularly stopped by Dubois.
Joshua has now suffered four career losses, all coming in the space of his last 10 fights, stretching back to June 2019.
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