Eddie Hearn leaves Tyson Fury red-faced as Anthony Joshua thinks rival is mendacity

Eddie Hearn has denied Tyson Fury‘s claims that he despatched a draft contract to Anthony Joshua. Reports emerged on Friday that Fury and Joshua have been in talks for a combat in September.

Following the news, Fury got here out and affirmed that he had despatched a draft contract to Joshua ‘a couple of days in the past’ and was awaiting his response. However, Hearn says that no such contract has made it into his inbox.

“First things first we have been sent no contract. No contract has been sent,” he informed iFL TV. “So, Tyson Fury came out last night and said that he has sent a contract to AJ and his team. We’ve been sent no contract for a fight in September.

“On Wednesday, George Warren despatched me an e-mail saying, ‘Look would you be inquisitive about a combat in September? We’ve been in negotiations earlier than. We do not assume it might be that arduous to make. What are your ideas?'”

Hearn went on to explain that Matchroom Boxing are willing to entertain a fight between Joshua and Fury provided the bout with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia doesn’t get made for December – which is said to be in the early stages of negotiations. The Mathchroom chief remains hopeful that a fight can be made down the line and is talking to Warren about the proposal. However, it appears that Joshua is far more sceptical.

“From AJ’s standpoint, he is not concerned on this discussions all he sees [from Fury] is ‘I’m combating Jai Opetai, I’m combating Demsey McKean, my subsequent combat is in Australia, oh I’ve despatched a contract to Anthony Joshua’,” Hearn added. “So, in his head, he is like ‘look he is simply making an attempt to get clout and get individuals speaking.'”

It seems more likely at this stage that Joshua will face Wilder next. No official offer is understood to have been submitted at this stage but history suggests that the organisers, Skills Challenge Entertainment, always come up with the funds when required and have a good working relationship with both parties.

The Saudi sports and entertainment agency were involved with Joshua’s fights against Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk over in the Middle East and have received glowing remarks from Wilder after recent discussions during Jake Paul and Tommy Fury’s Saudi showdown.