Eddie Hearn: No fear for Joshua against Fury

Eddie Hearn says he will have no fear when Anthony Joshua steps into the ring against Tyson Fury later this year.

The Matchroom supremo admits that he is often nervous when AJ goes into action, notably when the Watford behemoth lost his unbeaten professional record to Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019. But he says that won’t be the case when Joshua locks horns with ‘The Gypsy King’ to unify all of the world heavyweight titles.

No fear for Hearn

Talking to the Ak And Barak Show on DAZN, he said: “It’s a different kind of fight this one. I won’t feel this way in that fight. Because I know what AJ’s got to do.

“I’m not saying that Fury doesn’t have the power and the sharpness. See with Ruiz, that’s why I love watching Ruiz, they ping in at 100 miles an hour, these shots, and he throws them when you’re throwing.”

Hearn acknowledges the skills Fury possesses. But he believes they do not include the ability to change the course of an entire fight with one punch. In the way certain other heavyweights can.

Eddie Hearn Joshua vs Pulev Media Day
Eddie Hearn during the Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev Media Day in London (Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing).

“I’m not looking at the Fury fight and going ‘Oh, Fury’s dangerous’. Yeah I know he can punch. But AJ’s the guy who in my opinion has got to be the aggressor in that fight. He’s got to be looking to be dangerous himself.

“You’ve got to be wary of what’s coming back, but it’s a different kind of feeling I think if you’re fighting Fury.

Fury a different threat

“If you’re fighting a Ruiz, of course if you’re fighting a (Deontay) Wilder, you’re always there, one punch is just gonna change the whole fight. While Fury’s dangerous, I don’t feel the threat in that fight. I feel the threat of getting beat by maybe being outfoxed or outmanoeuvred.

“But I don’t feel the fear in that fight and I’m quietly confident. It’s a very tough fight but I believe our guy’s gonna knock him out.”

Fury and Joshua are expected to sign on the dotted line this month for their eagerly-anticipated unification match. The bout is expected to take place in June, likely in the Middle East. They are set to earn around $100million each.

The two men agreed in principle the financial structure of a two-fight deal last summer. It’s expected there will be an immediate rematch after their June meeting.