Joshua told he must axe Hearn to set up Fury fight – EXCLUSIVE

John Fury has advised Anthony Joshua to cut ties with his promoter Eddie Hearn if he ever hopes to box Tyson Fury. The all-British showdown is still among the most highly anticipated matchups in boxing despite their messy history and differing career trajectories.

Joshua and Fury have had multiple attempts to make the fight happen fall by the wayside over the years. The closest they came was back in 2021 when the pair held all four major sanctioning body belts between them.

Both men signed a two-fight deal in August of that year, starting with a clash in Saudi Arabia. However, as soon as the fight was officially announced a judge in a US court ruled that Deontay Wilder was entitled to exercise his option for a third fight with Fury. Joshua was then ordered by the WBO to face mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk, and the rest is history.

Most recently, both parties were unable to come to terms for December 3 shortly after Joshua’s second defeat to Usyk. Fingers were pointed in both directions with Fury’s representatives claiming that Joshua’s side showed ‘no ambition’ to make the fight while Hearn claims the breakdown was due to a lack of communication from Queensbury Promotions.

Fury Sr sides with Queensbury’s interpretation and believes Hearn will stop the fight from happening ‘again’ in the future. Speaking to Express Sport via Free Bets, he said: “Joshua needs to get away from Eddie Hearn first. The only reason that fight [Joshua vs Fury] wouldn’t happen is because he is an absolute w****.

“He talks out of his rear end and you know what I don’t even want to mention his name. But AJ get away from him. If you want to make good, get away from him. That’s all I’ve got to say about him.”

Hearn recently came out and affirmed that he would like to make Joshua vs Fury in the summer, but Tyson has repeatedly shut down ever entertaining a fight with the Watford powerhouse again. Before the long-awaited grudge match can take place though, AJ will have to beat Jermaine Franklin on April 1 in his first fight back since suffering consecutive losses to Usyk.

Defeat could spell the end of his time at the top but a win opens doors to fights with Fury, Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte who have all been teased as possible next opponents for him.