LONDON - Anthony Joshua could fight Tyson Fury next April at Wembley in an extraordinary battle of Britain, according to Eddie Hearn.
Joshua’s promoter ruled out a grudge fight this year, with the next assignment most likely to be a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko in October or November.
Fury’s impending doping hearing and fitness issues mean he will have to wait until next spring at the earliest for his crack at the IBF and WBA heavyweight world champion. Fury will also hope to have his British Boxing Board of Control licence restored after it was revoked over his ‘anti-doping and medical issues’.
Hearn told Sportsmail: ‘There is nothing I or AJ would want more than to see Tyson back in the ring.
‘But it won’t be next. Tyson just won’t be ready. Physically he is not at the races and he has a lot to resolve in terms of his doping hearing and getting his licence back. As it stands, I think the best chance of a Fury fight is April 2018, at Wembley. That depends on a successful defence in October or November. Rest assured, if we can make it happen, we will make it happen.’
In the shorter term, Klitschko is the prime choice. ‘I believe Wladimir is keen,’ said Hearn.
‘If he is then it is a sequel people would definitely want to see. I’m sure Wlad believes he nearly had AJ out of there and I know that AJ wants to iron out some mistakes and do a better job next time.’