Eddie Hearn has pleaded with Tyson Fury to officially announce his comeback and finally agree to a long-anticipated fight with Anthony Joshua.
Despite hinting at a return on social media since retiring after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk in their December rematch, Fury has yet to make any formal commitment to step back into the ring.
Meanwhile, Joshua is expected to undergo keyhole surgery on his elbow but should be fully fit by the end of the year, according to Hearn.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Matchroom promoter expressed frustration at Fury’s teasing posts online and urged him to clarify his plans.
“I feel like Tyson Fury’s a bit of a tease, isn’t he? All we see on Instagram is him training,” Hearn said.
“Even today, I came out of a press conference, opened Instagram, and there he is with his wraps on, doing 12 rounds. Why are you doing this to us? Are you playing with our minds, or are you coming back?
“Just let us know either way. Put us out of our misery.”
Hearn emphasised that now is the perfect time to make the fight happen, calling it the biggest bout not just in British boxing, but worldwide.
“AJ’s got to have a little keyhole surgery on his elbow. He’ll be back after September,” he said. “This fight is there. Let’s just make it happen.
“We’re reliant on Tyson Fury. We’re ready to go, but he has to be up for it. He’s a competitive so-and-so, and I just know deep down he wants to dance with Anthony Joshua. So, dust those shoes off and let’s do it.”
Past negotiations between the two camps have fallen through multiple times, but Hearn believes the timing has never been better. He cited improved relations with Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, and the fact that neither fighter currently holds a world title as key reasons why the bout is now easier to arrange.
“Honestly, one phone call. In the past, one had a belt, the other didn’t. Me and Frank Warren weren’t speaking, and I didn’t get on with Fury. That’s changed now.
“You’re both not champions at the moment, but you’re both massive stars. Let’s just get on with it. All the stuff that’s happened before, forget it. This is the moment. The path is clear.”
Hearn also pointed to the popularity of recent domestic clashes, such as the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn bout, as evidence of the public demand for high-stakes British matchups.
“That night was unforgettable. This one is twice as big. Fingers crossed, but I’m quietly confident.”
Should Fury choose not to return, Hearn noted that Joshua has other potential opponents, including a rematch with Dillian Whyte or a bout with the winner of the upcoming Usyk–Daniel Dubois rematch, set for July 19 at Wembley.
“If Dubois wins the undisputed title, I’m sure AJ would want a crack at that,” Hearn added. “Whyte’s coming back in June, and there’s also the option of another top contender.
“But I know one thing on AJ’s mind right now is Tyson Fury. The rest is out of our hands.”
