Eddie Hearn claims Wembley is booked for blockbuster Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury showdown… before Gypsy King provides shock update on boxing future
Eddie Hearn revealed he has booked out Wembley Stadium ahead of a potential all-British showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, just hours before the Gypsy King dropped a bombshell update on his boxing future.
The two British heavyweights have shared a long-running and bitter rivalry over the years, with constant speculation at times that a highly-anticipated fight between them will finally take place.
Yet, despite strong public support for a bout and significant conjecture and negotiations, a showdown has never materialised
Earlier this month, rumours circulated on social media that a fight had finally been agreed between Joshua and Fury in what would be dubbed as ‘The Battle of Britain’ and arguably the biggest fight in British boxing history.
And Hearn has revealed he has reserved the iconic Wembley Stadium for the fight to potentially take place in ‘May or June’ – but admitted it all comes down to Fury’s decision after his recent loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
‘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,’ Hearn told Sky Sports at the Ring Awards when asked if he has booked in a Wembley date.
‘Because when he looks at the options, what else is he going to do and who else is he going to fight?’.
Hearn’s teasing update to fans was squashed almost instantly on Monday by the Gypsy King, who took to social media to reveal that he is retiring from the sport.
‘Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet,’ Fury said in a clip he shared to social media.
‘I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it.
‘I’m going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side. GET UP!’
After his defeat by Usyk, Fury had suggested he has no intention of retiring.
Although Fury’s announcement has shocked boxing fans across the world, some supporters are questioning whether the retirement claim is genuine, given the Gypsy King has previously retired from the sport before returning.
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Back in 2022, Fury revealed he was ‘done’ with boxing after beating Dillian Whyte, only to return at the end of the year to fight Derek Chisora.
Some fans have questioned whether Fury’s cryptic message at the end of his video which said ‘Dick Turpin wore a mask’ was a potential dig at Joshua’s camp in terms of the fight negotiations.
Meanwhile, Joshua earlier this month gave credence to the speculation of a fight against Fury by outlining his plan for the year ahead.
‘2025, I am targeting Tyson Fury,’ the 35-year-old explained during a trip to meet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
Joshua’s last fight came in September when he faced rising prospect Daniel Dubois in a bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
