Eddie Hearn did not rule out signing Tyson Fury in the future, even if he believes Anthony Joshua remains boxing’s biggest star.
Fury last fought in April after defending his WBC title against Dillian Whyte, and promptly retired from the sport.
However, he has been linked with a comeback if Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk settle their rematch and decide who holds the IBF, WBA and WBO belts. That would tee up the chance for the winner of that fight to take on Fury for the undisputed title.
Speaking to GQ, Hearn claimed that despite Fury’s unbeaten record and occasional antics, Joshua remains the biggest name in boxing, but he did not rule out one day working with Fury.
“Tyson Fury isn’t the biggest draw in boxing,” Hearn stated, “AJ still is. But yes – he’s a huge star. But I am loyal to AJ, and I think Fury knew that when I was discussing signing him when he was 400lbs. He knew AJ would be my number one, and that would have been difficult. But you never know what could happen in the future.”
Hearn continued by explaining the impact that September’s defeat against Usyk had on Joshua.
“There’s a lot of pressure in AJ’s world,” he said.
“I feel like he’s lived in this bubble for a long time. AJ doesn’t go out, really. He trains. He goes back to one of his houses. He sees his mates, does a bit of motocross, plays a bit of FIFA. But that’s it. When you live in that world and you suffer defeat, it's very lonely. Everyone turns on you.
“The adulation that you received from the public turns to ‘oh you lost mate, you ain’t actually that good, you’re useless.’ And I feel that he's a very proud man. But I had several meetings with him almost immediately after, and he is one of those people who just wants to put it right.”