Eddie Hearn has said he wants Tyson Fury to beat Deontay Wilder when the pair meet for the second time next weekend as a fight between Fury and his client Anthony Joshua would be easier to make than one with the American.
Speaking to iFLTV, Matchroom Boxing’s promoter said, “This is why Tyson’s got to get the win. We can make that [fight] happen. Tyson Fury would fight Anthony Joshua, no problem.
“It’s a quick conversation between me, Bob Arum and MTK, and it gets done instantly. Wilder is just on another planet. Unfortunately, I think Wilder is going to win the fight.”
On February 22, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Alabama's Wilder will put his WBC belt on the line while Fury will be risking his lineal title. It is a meeting of two of the finest heavyweight boxers of the modern era and AJ will be watching closely as the elite trio in world boxing will be whittled down to two. However, the undefeated 34-year-old has irked Hearn by criticising Joshua’s win over Andy Ruiz, playing down talks of a meeting between the pair and claiming that AJ is "out of the picture."
“He said he hardly won his titles back?” Hearn replied in shock after hearing Wilder’s comments.
“This is a guy who, for years and years, has failed to fight Anthony Joshua. Now he’s doing it again.”
Wilder and Joshua were reportedly close to agreeing on terms in 2018 but after Fury’s sudden weight loss, Wilder decided to fight the Gypsy King instead. Now over a year on, the pair will meet again, looking to finally settle the score after a controversial draw in Los Angeles.
“Of course I want Fury to win because he’s a Brit,” Hearn continued.
“Plus, it gives us that much easier chance of making the big fight, because he would fight him. If Wilder wins this fight, he’ll be under so much pressure to fight Joshua, but everyone can see what we’re up against from those comments.
“To say Joshua isn’t in the picture is just crazy, it’s weird.”
@EddieHearn says that a deal could be reached for Anthony Joshua to fight Tyson in "a 2 minute call" but Deontay Wilder would be more difficult.
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The current WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion has also given his views on the fight as he looks to set up one of the biggest boxing bouts in history, against the victor.
"Wilder coming through is better because [a fight with me] is what people have been eagerly anticipating,” Joshua told Sky Sports.
"But I think Fury can win. For Wilder to win he has to knock Fury completely out, and he couldn't do that the first time. For Fury to win, he can hurt Wilder or out-box him. Fury has more to his arsenal so that's why I'm leaning to him.
"Good luck to Fury - it would be great to have two heavyweight champions here in England.” AJ concluded.
Matchroom Boxing have enjoyed a successful week having signed Josh Warrington, the undefeated IBF featherweight world champion. The Leeds -based champion was signed with Frank Warren and BT Sport but now joins Hearn’s team meaning all of his future fights will be shown on Sky Sports and DAZN.
“It's great to be back with Matchroom, Sky and now DAZN and I'm very excited about the future,” said Warrington. “I have enjoyed my time at BT but now I’m looking forward to going on to achieve my dreams of both fighting in the USA and unifying the division."
Anthony Joshua has backed Tyson Fury to defeat Deontay Wilder, insisting his fellow Brit can "hurt or out-box" the American
