Eddie Hearn has said reports that Anthony Joshua has reached an agreement to fight YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul next month are premature, adding that plans for a major showdown with Tyson Fury are being positioned for 2026.
Hearn explained that Joshua, the former world heavyweight champion, will require a warm up fight after a fourteen month layoff but stressed there is no confirmed deal with Paul. When asked on BBC 5 Live whether the Paul fight would happen, he said: “Possibly. Everyone jumped the gun last night. There has been some conversations. Our focus is on 2026. We have a big fight planned for February and a big fight hopefully against Tyson Fury next summer. We may run out in 2025 and have a low key fight somewhere. If that is going to go and destroy the run of Mr. Paul and make tens of millions in the process, maybe. Nothing confirmed yet.”
He also revealed that Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, has committed to delivering the long awaited bout between Joshua and Fury in 2026.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Hearn said: “Next year, we will fight in February and then we will fight Tyson Fury if Turki Alalshikh delivers on his plans and strategies. We spoke with him in London this week. Everything that we do with Anthony Joshua will be in accordance with and under the guidance of Turki Alalshikh. He has given us amazing opportunities. And the game plan will be put together with him.”
Hearn added that Alalshikh has taken responsibility for negotiating with Fury, saying: “It is Turki Alalshikh’s responsibility to talk to Tyson Fury and try and make the deal. I cannot tell you we are fighting Tyson Fury. What I can tell you is Turki Alalshikh has told us, ‘I am going to make AJ v Tyson Fury. This is your deal. Do you accept?’ We have accepted. Is the fight made? No. Because I do not know where he is at with Tyson Fury. All I know is he is yet to fail in delivering a fight.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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