Eddie Hearn knows who he wants to win that Fury vs Usyk blockbuster in Saudi Arabia next month, but he also knows it might not happen.
The Matchroom supremo is desperate for his stable star Anthony Joshua (28-3) to finally get that dream all-British showdown with WBC and lineal heavyweight king Fury (34-0-1). All he needs to make it reality, is a Fury win against Ukrainian genius Usyk (21-0) on May 18.
READ MORE: Heavyweight boxing schedule – all the biggest upcoming fights in the sport’s marquee weight class
Up until this week Hearn had been steadfast in his view of who wins the fight for all the heavyweight marbles, and becomes the sport’s first undisputed heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis back in 1999. But now that view is changing, in a big way.
Hearn’s Fury vs Usyk verdict
He told talkSPORT Drive: “I saw a video of Usyk the other day, he looks in tremendous shape. My pick’s going backwards and forwards. I went with Fury, now I’m with Usyk. But I want Fury to win the fight. I really believe the fight with AJ can happen if he wins.
“It’s a pure 50/50 fight, it’s one of the best fights that can be made in boxing, it’s the undisputed heavyweight world championship.”
READ MORE: DAZN boxing schedule, subscription price and how to use the streaming service
That May 18 date for Fury vs Usyk is obviously a rescheduled one, after their planned February 17 meeting was scuppered just over two weeks out when Fury sustained a cut eye in sparring.
There are plenty of doubters out there who for some reason believe this fight will never happen – but Hearn is definitely not among them.
Undisputed fight WILL happen – Hearn
When asked if he believes the bout will go ahead this time, he answered: “More sure than I am about any normal fight because it’s already been postponed once. Honestly, I have no doubt this fight happens.
“People talk about, ‘Was the cut real?’ It’s the most ridiculous statement you could ever hear.
“The guy’s making tens and tens and tens of millions and he’s been training away from his family for nine weeks, you don’t just decide to cut your eye to get you out of the fight. It’s ridiculous.”
READ MORE: Fury earning career-best payday for Oleksandr Usyk showdown – brother Shane
Fury of course is believed to be earning well in excess of £50million for this fight, but that purse would likely be dwarfed by the potential rewards for a showdown with Joshua. Hearn recently claimed that Fury and Joshua would each earn north of £100million for that fight.
A Fury vs Joshua clash is expected to happen in late 2024 or early 2025 IF Fury prevails against Usyk. The one thing that could delay it is the rematch clause in that Fury vs Usyk contract.
