Eddie Hearn Denies ‘Awkward’ Joshua-Fury Meeting Was Staged

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sports who promotes the WBA, IBF, IBO, WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua says a chance meeting between his fighter and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury was not staged.

The two British heavyweight titleholders randomly bumped into each other while holidaying in Marbella, Spain. Fury pulled up in his car while Joshua walking down the street with friends. Both men promised to deal with their upcoming opponents before facing off in an all-British heavyweight undisputed fight in 2021.

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‘The Gypsy King’ is set to complete his trilogy with Deontay Wilder, targeted for December 19. Joshua must face his mandatory challenger, Kubrat Pulev later this year.

In an interview with Sky Sports Joshua’s promoter Hearn confirmed the meeting was 100 percent genuine and probably awkward for everyone involved, he said.

“It was probably awkward. Although people thought it was staged, it definitely wasn’t. ”Make sure you beat Deontay Wilder, make sure you beat Kubrat Pulev, see you next year”. The two respect each other. It will be a great build-up, backwards and forwards, two very different characters.

“It’s the biggest fight in world boxing. Both guys are fully on board but need to get the job in December. AJ’s fight date is looking like early December.”

As previously reported Joshua and Fury have already agreed to the financial term of a two-fight deal which will take place in 2021 provided both men come through their upcoming bouts unscathed.

“There is an agreement between the two of them and the parties to take those fights, two of them, in 2021,” Hearn said.

“We’re in a good place but, as the world has shown us in 2020, anything can happen. Right now? The focus for AJ in on Pulev. The focus for Fury is on Wilder again. AJ is in good spirits and is starting camp now for Pulev.”

Do you believe Eddie Hearn? Or was this meeting between Joshua and Fury staged?