Eddie Hearn has dismissed reports suggesting a confirmed heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, stressing that no agreement has been finalized despite growing speculation.
Rumours intensified after boxing journalist Gareth A Davies claimed the highly anticipated fight had already been secretly sealed and could be broadcast on Netflix.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Davies said the bout was “signed in the background” and backed by major financial stakeholders.
However, Hearn firmly rejected those claims in an interview with The Stomping Ground, stating that no contract has been signed and no official deal is in place for Joshua to face Fury.
He did reveal that serious talks had taken place before plans were disrupted by a tragic car accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on December 29, which claimed the lives of Joshua’s close associates, including his trainer Kevin Ayodele and recovery therapist Sina Ghami. The incident occurred shortly after Joshua’s victory over Jake Paul in Miami.
According to Hearn, discussions had initially mapped out a sequence of fights—first against Paul, followed by a bout in Saudi Arabia, and then a clash with Fury—but those plans were halted after the accident.
He added that only recent conversations have begun to revisit the possibility of the long-awaited matchup.
Joshua has since resumed training and is aiming for a return this summer, with Dillian Whyte being considered as a potential opponent. A fight with Fury could still happen later in the year if negotiations progress.
Meanwhile, Fury is scheduled to make his return on April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a Netflix card that will also feature Conor Benn. The former champion had previously stepped away from the sport before deciding to come back.