Eddie Hearn admits Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder fight in April unlikely to happen and reveals Tyson Fury talks
The Matchroom promoter says AJ wants Wilder but that he doesn't expect the fight to be made in early 2019, with Fury and Dillian Whyte more likely options
Eddie Hearn has revealed there has been contact between him and Tyson Fury as he builds towards an exciting 2019 in the heavyweight division.
Fury’s clash with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder on December 1 ended in a controversial draw but was the talk of the sporting world, as the Brit came so close to capping a memorable comeback after his near three year hiatus.
There is an eagerness from boxing fans for a rematch between the two, while either one could have a mega fight with three-belt holder Anthony Joshua, who has Wembley Stadium booked for April 13, 2019.
Joshua's number one target is Wilder, the WBC champion, as victory over the American would make him the undisputed heavweight champion of the world.
But Hearn, Joshua's promoter, admits that a bout between the two champions is looking highly unlikely and has revealed that he has spoken with Fury about a potential all-British showdown.
Hearn, who saw an offer to manage Fury on his return to the ring in early 2018 rebuffed, told "He (Fury) texted me a few times, we’ve spoken a few times.
"Joshua wants to be undisputed. If he can’t get those then he looks at Fury and Dillian (Whyte). But these guys they’re not lapdogs, they’re not just going to turn round and say 'yeah, alright then, just tell me what the deal is and I’ll be there'.
"They’re not just like a voluntary where I’m over the moon to get the shot. They’re in position. So whether it’s Dillian, whether it’s Fury, whether it’s Jarrell Miller, whether it’s Wilder, who knows?
"When Tyson Fury came back, I wanted him to have one warm up fight and then fight a three-fight deal: warm up fight, Tony Bellew, Dillian Whyte. Whyte-Fury is a massive fight. That’s a Wembley fight.”
While Fury is seemingly interested in facing Joshua, it appears that Whyte is the most likely opponent for AJ at Wembley on April 13.
Whyte, who was beaten by Joshua in 2015, has won nine consecutive fights and called out his long-time rival after he beat Dereck Chisora earlier his month.
“We’ve got to sit down with Dillian and his team and see if there’s a deal to be done for April," Hearn added.
"I don’t believe that Wilder will fight Joshua in April. We’ll sit down pretty much immediately and see if there’s a deal to be done. Dillian has become a pay-per-view fighter in his own right. He’s had two back-to-back pay-per-views that have done fantastic numbers.
"Both of them have been fight of the year contenders against Parker and against Chisora. So he’s in a great place.
"The feeling I get from Dillian is of course he wants a world title fight but he also wants to stay active, stay relevant, be in big fights, continue to improve.
"There’s no secret Joshua wants to fight the undisputed fight. But he also wants to fight Dillian Whyte.
"There’s other fights Dillian Whyte’s looking at. He can do what he wants. Dillian might turn round and go 'you know what, I don’t like that deal. I’m going to have this fight or that fight and I’m mandatory anyway'."
The Matchroom boss added: “I do feel like he deserves a world title shot and I do feel he is either in his prime or quickly approaching his prime and that is genuinely the time to strike.
"I also believe him against AJ is an unbelievable fight. Unbelievable fight.”