Promoter Eddie Hearn has pushed back against suggestions from Tyson Fury that their highly anticipated heavyweight contest could fall through. Both fighters are currently scheduled for warm-up matches this week, with Fury fighting Mariusz Wach in Pattaya and Anthony Joshua competing against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah. These bouts are widely viewed as critical tests that must be successfully navigated for the main event to remain on track for November.
Fury recently suggested he might consider alternative opponents for the latter half of the year. However, Hearn argued that Fury is the more unpredictable party, pointing to past instances where he withdrew from matchups. Hearn emphasized that Joshua has maintained a consistent professional record and previously agreed to fight Fury, only for that deal to collapse due to external arbitration involving Deontay Wilder. According to the promoter, the only real threats to the November showdown are potential injuries or upsets during this weekend’s matches.
For Joshua, the return to the ring carries extra weight. This Saturday’s fight will mark his first appearance since the December car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his close associates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Joshua admitted that he is still navigating the emotional impact of the tragedy, stating that keeping busy in the gym helps him manage the grief. This event also serves as his first competitive outing since his loss to IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
