Joshua: 'AJ could fight Fury next', says Eddie Hearn
Thursday 7 April 2016 10:24, UK
Promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested Anthony Joshua could end up facing world champion Tyson Fury later this year.
Joshua (15-0-KO15) challenges IBF world heavyweight king Charles Martin on Saturday night - live on Sky Sports Box Office - and is already involved in social media spats with current WBA Super and WBO champion Fury (25-0-KO18).
As talks over Fury's rematch with former divisional kingpin Wladimir Klitschko show no signs of reaching a resolution, Hearn is ready to step in and try to negotiate a bout that has the potential to be the first ever heavyweight unification title bout between two Britons.
Hearn told Sky Sports News HQ: "We can fight who we want next. As always, if it's a good fight and the public want to see it again then we'll do it but we're free to fight whoever we want next.
I think compared to Anthony Joshua, he's a fat boy... but who isn't? I think Anthony is a serious athlete and they're two very different characters.
"I don't expect that to be Fury but you never know in this game - maybe the Wladimir Klitschko fight falls through. It's taken long enough. The last fight was in November and we're now in April. There's no concrete date so don't rule out Fury against AJ in the summer.
"First thing is first, Saturday night. The mandatory would be called towards the end of November so we can fight who we want up until the end of November. Like I said, these fights people look at potential rematches and Dillian Whyte against Joshua was such a good fight that I think the public would like to see that again."
Team Fury have made no secret of favouring Martin to defend his title against London's Olympic champion - and the compatriots recently squared off on social media with Joshua branding the world champion 'fat boy.'
Hearn said of the spat: "Tyson's been very vocal in believing Charles Martin will win the fight and also downplaying Anthony's quality and ability. The prospect of Fury against Joshua is wonderful.
"I think compared to Anthony Joshua, he's a fat boy... but who isn't? I think Anthony is a serious athlete and they're two very different characters from a personality perspective and a physique perspective."
Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9. Order the event online.
