- Eddie Hearn has revealed that the British showdown could finally take place this year
- Both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua would enter the fight after losing
Eddie Hearn has revealed he has booked Wembley Stadium ahead of a potential British showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The two British heavyweights have shared a bitter and long-running rivalry over the years, with constant speculation at times that a long-awaited fight between them will finally take place.
However, despite strong public support for a fight and significant speculation and negotiations, a showdown has never materialized.
Earlier this month, rumors circulated on social media that a fight between Joshua and Fury had finally been agreed in what would be dubbed 'The Battle of Britain' and possibly the biggest fight in British boxing history, with a date set for April 26 at Wembley.
And Hearn has revealed that he has booked the iconic Wembley Stadium for the fight potentially taking place in 'May or June', but admitted it all comes down to Fury's decision after his recent loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
'Yeah. We hope to return to the ring in May or June. “If it ended up being July, it doesn't really matter,” Hearn he told Sky Sports at the Ring Awards when asked if he had booked a date at Wembley.
Anthony Joshua (left) and Tyson Fury (right) have shared a bitter rivalry over the years.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn says showdown could finally take place this year
Hearn says he has booked Wembley Stadium ahead of potential May-June clash
'I still think it depends on Tyson Fury. Until the dust settles on the defeat and where he is at mentally and what he wants to do, that's where we'll really find out.
'Because when you look at the options, what else are you going to do and who else are you going to fight?'
Joshua earlier this month gave credence to speculation of a fight against Fury by outlining his plan for next year.
“My goal is Tyson Fury in 2025,” the 35-year-old explained during a trip to meet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
Joshua's last fight was in September when he faced rising prospect Daniel Dubois in a bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
In the end, Dubois handed AJ the fourth loss of his professional career by stopping him in the fifth round and defending his IBF title in the process.
Joshua was expected to face Dubois in early 2025 before he was convinced to recover from injuries and seek a comeback later in the year.
The Watford-born fighter told Ring Magazine: “After my last fight I took some time off.” I let my body heal, which I'm still working on, and turned down some business opportunities so I could focus on sport, which takes the pressure off both mentally and physically.
Joshua's last fight was in September when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois.
Meanwhile, Fury suffered a second straight loss to Oleksandr Usyk last month.
'I went away with my family, which is always good and we'll be back in 2025 and I feel good.
“It's a fight (Joshua vs Fury) that I want to see, because I'm a boxing fan, so I want to start that fight.”
'When I'm at the local gym everyone asks me, and the reason I decided to do some interesting things (on social media) is because I don't have many years ahead of me. I have had more years behind me.
“So what I want to do is come out of the game strong and make an impact.”
“Be quirky, be a great character, have fun while we're doing it, and look for the big fights.” Tyson Fury is one of them.
'Every time I see people they say to me: “When do you fight Fury?” The Irish community, the English community, the Nigerian community, they all ask me the same question.
'As a fighter, it's up to me to deliver. It has to happen this year.”