Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s showdown WON’T be signed on Monday, insists Eddie Hearn, as he tells Gypsy King ‘if you want to walk away, off you go’ – after AJ got 48-hour ultimatum by rival
- Tyson Fury has said Anthony Joshua has until Monday to sign his contract
- Fury also stated that if AJ fails to sign he will proceed with a different opponent
- But Eddie Hearn has insisted that the contract will not be signed in time
- Hearn claims that Fury already has a different opponent for December in mind
Eddie Hearn has hit back at Tyson Fury after the WBC heavyweight champion said that Anthony Joshua has until Monday to sign the contract for a proposed fight between the pair.
Speaking during the Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker event, the Gypsy King insisted that he was tired of setting contractual deadlines, and would proceed with a different opponent if AJ did not agree to terms by Monday.
‘I’m sick of setting deadlines. They either want this poxy fight or they don’t.’ Fury said.
Eddie Hearn has hit back at Tyson Fury for setting a deadline for the contract for the proposed fight with Anthony Joshua
Fury claimed that if Joshua doesn’t sign by Monday, he would proceed with a different opponent
But Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn claims that Fury’s comments are an attempt to hide the fact that he is instead interested in fighting German heavyweight Mahmoud (formerly Manuel) Charr.
‘The conversations have been decent and are moving in the right direction, but there is a long way to go.’ Hearn told Seconds Out.
‘Fury wants to fight Manuel Charr, it’s pretty obvious, and the public are not the brightest if they actually think otherwise.’
Hearn claimed that Fury is instead interested in fighting German heavyweight Mahmoud Charr
Although the long-speculated clash between the two best British heavyweights of a generation appeared to have been the closest it has ever been to becoming a reality, Hearn explained that the fight will not take place if Fury’s Monday ultimatum was sincere.
‘I think there is no way this contract gets signed on Monday because there is still a lot to be done,’ Hearn fumed.
‘This fight takes time. We waited 10 days to get the contract…all of a sudden he wants it signed in 24 hours. No chance.’
Tyson Fury has warned Anthony Joshua he is losing patience with his rival still yet to return his contract for their mega fight
Hearn went on to criticise Fury as he cast huge doubt on the fight going ahead in December.
Asked whether he was leaning towards the eagerly-anticipated bout not happening, Hearn said: ‘Yeah because if he comes out with statements like that…we’ll see.
‘Once again, Tyson Fury has made a statement – “I’m retired, I’m this, I’m giving my purse to the homeless, I am walking away from this fight on Monday”.
Fury shared the video of fans at his show chanting for Anthony Joshua to ‘sign the contract’
‘Guess what? The fight isn’t getting signed on Monday. So if you want to walk away from that, while we are all trying to make it – including your promo team – off you go.’
Fury on Saturday had earlier laid down the gauntlet to Joshua, who is coming off the back of a devastating defeat to Usyk in August.
‘They’ve had the opportunity to agree to this fight for about a month I’d say,’ he said ringside at the Manchester Arena.
‘They’ve had the contract for over a week, still not signed, still a few more excuses they’re gonna come back with. We’ll know more on Monday I think, the two broadcasters are gonna meet on Monday and then we’ll know from there. If it’s not done by Monday then I’m moving on.
Joshua’s team initially said they accepted the contract but Fury says they have been silent
‘I’m not waiting around for some guy who’s lost three of his last five fights, he’s lucky that I’m giving him a world title shot.’
Earlier this week Fury had goaded Joshua over his silence by calling him a ‘s**thouse’ for his delay in returning the contract.
He then implored fans watching his tour, Tyson Fury’s Official After Party, to join him in a chorus of ‘AJ sign the contract!’ at the show.
Earlier this month, Fury’s promoter Warren said a contract had been sent to Joshua’s team and both sides suggested there was little standing in the way of a full agreement.
Joshua immediately said he was interested and instructed his management group 258 and Matchroom to negotiate terms – with his promoter Eddie Hearn confirming they had accepted their offer for a 60-40 split.