Eddie Hearn has reignited the dream of a colossal all-British heavyweight clash, declaring that Tyson Fury’s next opponent must be Anthony Joshua in what he believes could be “the biggest fight in the history of British boxing.” This bold statement came after Fury suffered a second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk, with the judges unanimously scoring the fight 116-112 in favor of the Ukrainian champion on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia.
Fury Fades Against the "Untouchable" Usyk
Fury’s second defeat to Usyk came in a competitive 12-round bout, leaving the “Gypsy King” visibly frustrated. Storming out of the ring upon receiving the scorecards, Fury voiced his belief that he had done enough to win, stating, “I thought I won that fight… I will believe until the day I die that I won that fight.” Fury pointed to his aggression and body shots throughout the bout, but the judges ultimately disagreed.
Cryptically, Fury hinted at an uncertain future in post-fight interviews, telling the media, “You might see me fight again, you might not.” However, Hearn remains convinced that Fury has more to give and has identified a potential mega-fight with Joshua as the only logical next step in Fury’s career.
Eddie Hearn Pushes for a Wembley Showdown
Speaking to DAZN after the fight, Hearn argued that a Fury vs. Joshua showdown is inevitable. “The reality is there’s only one fight for Tyson Fury, and that’s Anthony Joshua,” Hearn asserted. He praised Fury’s performance, saying, “That wasn’t a Tyson Fury that looked finished… I think Tyson Fury is still potentially at the peak of his powers. Just not good enough to beat Oleksandr Usyk tonight.”
Hearn pointed out that both Fury and Joshua are coming off challenging defeats, with AJ losing to Daniel Dubois in September. A fight between the two, Hearn argued, would not only reignite their careers but also captivate boxing fans across the globe. “For me, AJ against Fury is the one… it’s the one at Wembley,” he added, referencing London’s iconic stadium as the ideal venue for such an historic fight.
Fury's Reaction to the Defeat
Despite his frustration, Fury seemed to take the outcome philosophically, describing Usyk’s victory as a “Christmas gift” from the judges. “When you don’t get the KO, this is what happens, you can’t guarantee a win,” Fury said, acknowledging the risks of leaving the fight in the hands of the judges.
He added, “I’m not going to cry over spilled milk. I can’t change the decision.” Nevertheless, Fury couldn’t help but stand firm in his belief that he had done enough to secure victory in both of his bouts against Usyk.
Could 2025 Be the Year of Fury vs. Joshua?
While no official announcements have been made, Hearn is optimistic that the two British heavyweights will eventually collide in the ring. “I’m going to be pushing His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] to make the fight,” Hearn proclaimed, though he admitted this ambition might need to wait as focus shifts to celebrating Usyk’s triumph.
If Fury and Joshua do meet, it would mark a turning point for both men as they look to reclaim their standing in the heavyweight division. For now, the ball may rest in Fury’s court as he contemplates his next move.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as the fate of what could be Britain’s most significant boxing match hangs in the balance.