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Promoter Eddie Hearn says the much-anticipated Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury showdown could still be derailed if someone loses a tune-up fight beforehand.
Joshua and Fury are both signed to fight each other later this year. But AJ will make a comeback on July 25 in Saudi Arabia and Fury is looking to have a tune-up contest of his own in the summer.
Not losing any of those fights. If they do – “It’s over,” said Joshua’s publicist Eddie Hearn.
“In my opinion if a fighter loses, you can’t fight,” Hearn said Sky Sports.
“I’ll feel sick in the ring on July 25. Especially with this What a comeback from AJ. I mean there are concerns. Will he be the same? What we see in the camp and in the quarrel lends us to suggest yes. But there is much to overcome. That is the importance of the July fight.”
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George Groves admits it is difficult to pick a clear winner between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua but believes Alexander Usyk’s influence on AJ should not be underestimated
He added: “Now we’ve signed to fight Tyson Fury. He’s signed to fight Anthony Joshua. The only thing standing in the way is July 25.”
Joshua and Fury have not faced off since the latter’s comeback win over Arslanbek Makhmudov. But the promoter expects Fury to be present for Joshua’s upcoming fight against Christian Prenga.
“I would be shocked if he’s not in Riyadh on July 25. Because that’s the moment,” Hearn said. “They have never met. When they meet for the first time, it will send shivers down the spine of every sports fan. Because it (the fight) is something they will never forget.”
Hearn is open to doing his warm-up on the same bill as Joshua in Riyadh.
“We have no problem with that. To see where the Turk (Alalsikh) wants to land. It might be hard for Fury to go down on Joshua on that card, I don’t know,” Hearn noted.
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“I don’t think he (Fury) is going to have a significant fight, not even like Makhmudov. I don’t even think they will fight at that level. They have to do what they have to do. They’ve only had 12 good rounds and we’re looking forward to less rounds than that but a big upset.
“I think everyone is very focused, now that both fighters have signed, just to make sure a few months go by and we can give the world this mega-event.”
Joshua’s fight with Fury is scheduled for November but the date and venue are yet to be determined. It is expected to be staged in the UK, although the location is currently uncertain.
“It is up to Turkey. He understands the magnitude and importance of this event in the UK. But he is also paying the bills,” Hearn said.
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Highlights of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov. Video courtesy of Netflix and The Ring. Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov is now available to watch worldwide exclusively on Netflix
“We know it’s a blockbuster event in terms of numbers. I’d love to do this fight in the UK and I think he would too if there’s a way to do it, I think that’s what everyone would love.”
British stadiums such as Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur ground or Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with roofs, can all be suitable for fighting.
“We did Ben-Eubank in November (at Tottenham). You’re playing a bit of roulette (with the weather). But the Millennium Stadium is a great venue,” Hearn said. “They’ll also look at the numbers, thinking about the business of the show.
“You know it’s going to sell out any stadium in the world instantly,” he continued. “It’s iconic in our country too. We’ll see.
“When these two square off in the ring it will be the single biggest sporting event you will ever see in this country.”
