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Boxing

Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury: Deontay Wilder won't be an issue, say both Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren

Liam Happe
Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury: Deontay Wilder won't be an issue, say both Eddie Hearn and Frank WarrenDAZN
Deontay Wilder is still seeking his trilogy fight with Tyson Fury while the WBC champion attempts to move on to a unification bout with the WBA, WBO and IBF titleholder.

Neither Eddie Hearn nor Frank Warren foresee any further delays to the planned heavyweight unification bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury due to Deontay Wilder's legal attempts to force a third fight with "The Gipsy King".

Fury stopped Wilder a year ago to take his WBC title in their second fight, following a draw in 2018. They were initially contracted to fight again and looked set to do so in late 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic prevented them from welcoming a ticket-buying crowd of a decent enough size.

The fight would have ensured Fury fought again before potentially moving on to Joshua, with the WBA, WBO and IBF champ finishing off Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds back in December. However US promoter Bob Arum has claimed the Wilder rematch clause expired in October and is now a non-factor.

Some fans are concerned that the megafight between the two British stars will be delayed even further by Wilder's attempts to challenge this turn of events. However AJ's matchmaker Hearn and Fury's domestic backer Warren do not regard it as a problem.

"That's a problem and a question really for Top Rank, and Bob Arum," Hearn told Sky Sports. "We've been assured by them, that's not going to be an issue in making this fight.

"I do believe that Deontay Wilder, he was supposed to be fighting in January. Now we're middle of February, so how much longer is he going to wait? He's been out of the ring for a year now, and he's slowly imploding in every single interview that he gives. He should get back in the ring.

"That's a Fury problem, a Team Fury problem. We're confident that it won't impact our fight, or the announcement.

"I keep saying two weeks (until an announcement). I'm bored of saying it now. People are bored of probably hearing it, but we are finalising the finest details of the contract and hope to make an announcement soon."

Warren's comments on the matter were short and to the point.

"We don't believe it will affect the fight," Warren told Sky.

Arum, who along with Warren and Hearn forms the trio of executives tasked with delivering this monumental fight, recently concurred with Hearn that confirmation appears to be on the horizon.