Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury has moved a step closer and could happen this summer at Wembley Stadium.
Eddie Hearn has revealed he wants Joshua to return to action in May or June and has reserved Wembley for a potential mega-fight with Fury.
However, Hearn admits it is still unclear what Fury wants to do after successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Asked if he had a Wembley date available if Fury wanted to fight Joshua, Hearn said: “Yes. We’re looking to get back in the ring in May or June. If it ended up being July, it doesn’t really matter.
Much will depend on if Fury wants to fight again, says Hearn
“I still think it rests on Tyson Fury. Until the water settles on the defeat and where he’s at mentally and what he wants to do, that’s where we’re really going to find out.
“Because when he looks at the options, what else is he going to do and who else is he going to fight?”.
Joshua, who has not fought since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September, posted a picture of Fury on his Instagram with the message “looking for this guy”.
Speaking at the Ring Awards, Hearn added: “Everything I’ve seen from AJ’s social media, particularly in the last hour or so, is very encouraging.
“He’s not really one to call anyone out, but clearly he is calling him out. He’s calling out Tyson Fury.
“It’s the fight he wants. I keep saying there are two fights: Daniel Dubois or Tyson Fury.
Joshua says he wants to ‘leave the game with a bang’ and fight Fury
“The world heavyweight title is what he [Joshua] wants. But, of course, Fury is a fight that must land on the resume of Anthony Joshua.
“And obviously it must be delivered for the British public as well.
“I think the real key in this is Tyson Fury. He’s just three weeks off a defeat, probably still upset and reflecting upon that defeat. We’ll have to see if he wants to fight again.”
Joshua: I’m gunning for Fury and want to leave the game with a bang
Anthony Joshua to Ring Magazine…
“After my last fight I took some time out. I let my body heal, which I’m still working on now, and I declined some business opportunities so I could focus on the sport, which takes off mental pressure as well as physically.
“I went away with family which is always good and we’re back again for 2025 and I feel good.
“It’s a fight [Joshua vs Fury] I want to see, because I’m a fan of boxing, so I want to get that fight underway.
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Daniel Dubois is seeking to avenge his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk after his upcoming fight against Joseph Parker
“When I’m in the local gym everyone is asking me, and the reason I decided to do some interesting stuff (on social media) is because I haven’t got many years ahead of me. I’ve had more years behind me.
“So what I want to do is leave the game with a bang and make an impact.
“Be outlandish, a great character, have fun with it while we’re doing it and go for the big fights. Tyson Fury is one of them.
“Every time I see people they say: ‘When you fighting Fury?’ The Irish community, English community, Nigerian community, everyone is asking me the same question.
“As a fighter, it’s up to me to deliver. It has to happen this year.”