Barry Hearn, the father of Eddie Hearn, has stated that Matchroom has a huge responsibility to deliver the long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. According to Hearn, regardless of the outcome of the December 21st rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Fury, it is imperative that AJ faces Fury next year. The anticipation for this fight has been building for quite some time, and Hearn firmly believes that it cannot be delayed any longer.
Hearn emphasized the importance of making the Joshua vs. Fury fight happen in early 2025, stating that it is a responsibility that they cannot afford to ignore. He mentioned that it is crucial for Matchroom to deliver the best product to the fans and that the demand for this fight is undeniable. Hearn even went as far as predicting that Usyk will defeat Fury in the rematch, making the matchup easier to arrange if Joshua emerges victorious in his upcoming fight against Daniel Dubois.
While Hearn’s vision for the future of British heavyweight boxing is exciting, there are still significant obstacles that could derail the plan. The unpredictability of boxing was highlighted by Hearn, who acknowledged that Joshua’s fight against Dubois is far from a guaranteed win. Additionally, Fury’s rematch with Usyk also holds a level of uncertainty, with the possibility that he may retire if he suffers another defeat.
Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Hearn remains optimistic about the potential of a Fury vs. Joshua showdown. He spoke about the enormous public interest in the fight, emphasizing that there is no venue large enough to accommodate all the fans who would want to witness the showdown in person. If everything falls into place and the stars align, Matchroom could indeed deliver the most significant heavyweight fight in British boxing history next year.
The pressure is on Matchroom to make the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight a reality. While there are many uncertainties and potential roadblocks along the way, the overwhelming demand for this matchup cannot be ignored. With the right planning and a bit of luck, Matchroom may successfully deliver the fight that the world has been waiting for.