Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua will CALL OUT Fury and Wilder if he knocks out Jermaine Franklin
EXCLUSIVE: Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua WILL CALL UP Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder if he wins via knockout against Jermaine Franklin, but the Brit may decide not to if he feels he needs more time with new coach Derrick James
Eddie Hearn has said that Anthony Joshua will call up Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder if he wins in spectacular fashion on Saturday.
AJ will return to the ring on Saturday night to face Jermaine Franklin in his first fight since losing to Oleksandr Usyk for the second time.
Hearn’s says Joshua will call Fury and Wilder if he knocks out the American heavyweight at the O2 Arena.
However, Hearn has said that AJ may look to get another fight under his belt and engage more with Derrick James if he fights Franklin.
Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, Hearn said: “I think the nature of the win will be important.
Anthony Joshua (left) will call out Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder if he wins by knockout against Jermaine Franklin (right) on Saturday, Eddie Hearn (center) told Sportsmail exclusively.
Joshua has already set his sights on Fury (left) and Wilder (right) after Saturday’s O2 masterpiece.
“If he looks sensational, I think he’ll call Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
‘If he fights to win, he may want one more first with his new trainer Derrick James.
‘You’re always under pressure from the public to make the big fights, but I’d like to see him fit in with that new coach.
He has had two trainers in two fights. I think he and Derrick James are working very well, so tomorrow they will show us where they are. I think if he looks great, he’ll be ready for anything.
Hearn’s comments come shortly after Joshua said both Fury and Wilder “needed to fight him.”
Speaking ahead of his clash with the American heavyweight, Joshua said: “There is no better time [for me to face Tyson Fury].
The Brit is looking to make a comeback after successive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
The Ukrainian boxer beat Joshua in Jeddah last year to retain his heavyweight titles.
‘As long as the Usyk fight doesn’t happen and he [Fury] he doesn’t fight with anyone in between, he needs me right now.’
However, Joshua acknowledges the fact that he needs to impress on Saturday night to get Fury’s attention.
AJ said: ‘I have to fight like I’m leaning towards a championship fight. The current champions have to look at me and think that he is a serious contender. This is how he feels now.
Joshua also said that Wilder needed to face him before retiring from professional boxing.
Speaking of Wilder, AJ told The Big Fight Weekend podcast: ‘There are a few names I’d like to follow in the next six to 12 months.
The former Olympic champion may decide he needs one more fight with new trainer Derrick James (pictured) before calling Fury and Wilder, Hearn admitted before Saturday.
‘It seems that Deontay Wilder is more realistic [than Fury] because I think what’s going on with Fury is a little crazy.
“I’ve been in this situation for a long time, even with the two of them, I’ve been in the same situation, but I feel like Deontay is getting to a stage in his career where he’s realistic, and he knows it.” he needs this fight. Especially with where we’re both at in our careers.
AJ and Wilder were in talks about a fight in 2019, but the fight fell through when Joshua lost his unified heavyweight title in a shock loss to Andy Ruiz.
However, a fight could take place later this year if Joshua can dismantle Franklin this weekend.