Eddie Hearn Says Anthony Joshua And Tyson Fury Cannot Afford To Lose Next Fight

Anthony Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) vs Tyson Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs) is once again the talk of the town, with the duo set to fight later in 2026. But, according to Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn, there might just be one caveat that might prevent the fight from happening.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Hearn remained adamant about the possibility of the fight going ahead in the event of either fighter losing.

“In my opinion, if either fighter loses, you cannot do the fight. I will feel sick at the ringwalk on July 25. Especially with what AJ’s come back from. I mean, there is that worry. Will he be the same?” he said. “Everything we see in camp and in sparring lends us to suggest yes. But there’s a lot to overcome. That’s the importance of this fight as well in July.”

Joshua is currently scheduled to return on July 25 in Saudi Arabia against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga as part of a comeback run after his December 2025 car accident. Fury, on the other hand, returned from a layoff with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov. He is also expected to take another tune-up fight this summer, though no opponent has been finalized yet.

Hearn said the risk is huge because the entire appeal of Joshua vs Fury depends on both arriving with momentum and credibility intact. However, he certainly is confident about the 25^th.

“Now we have signed to fight Tyson Fury. He has signed to fight Anthony Joshua. The only thing that stands in the way is July 25,” said Hearn.

“A Fight of Any Significance”

Hearn, however, believes that Fury might not have any major showdowns heading his way. Albeit wanting the champ to do well in whichever bout he chooses, so that the duo can clash later this year.

“I don’t think he is going to be having a fight of any significance, even not the likes of Makhmudov. I don’t even think they’d have a fight at that level. They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do,” he said. “I think everybody’s extremely focused, now that both fighters have signed, on just getting through the next couple of months and making sure we can give the world this mega-event.”

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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