Eddie Hearn 'excited' as Tyson Fury teases Anthony Joshua showdown in cryptic social media video post

Eddie Hearn admits he is 'excited' by the potential in-ring return of Tyson Fury after the Gypsy King fuelled speculation that he could be working towards a comeback fight against long-term rival Anthony Joshua at the weekend.

The former lineal heavyweight champion shocked the boxing world when he announced his immediate retirement from the sport following a second successive points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in their huge Riyadh rematch last December.

However, just three months on Fury has teased a potential return to the ring, posting a video on his official Instagram channel, showing him working his jab, combinations and heavy body shots to the punch bag at his personal boxing gym.

Despite his departure from the sport, fight fans and boxing insiders have always held belief that the 36-year-old could still have his head turned by the riches on offer from Turki Alalshikh, with the Riyadh Season boss still wanting to stage what many perceive to still be the biggest fight in heavyweight boxing, Fury v Anthony Joshua.

"You never know whether Tyson did it (posted the video) because he was just punching the bag and wanted to film it, or whether he wanted to get people excited about a potential return," Matchroom promoter Hearn told Boxing News this weekend.

"I was excited, truth be told, because Tyson isn't a fighter in decline. When a fighter retires and they are past their best I get it, but Tyson isn't.

"That is what gives me hope that one day he just picks up the phone to AJ (Anthony Joshua), Frank (Warren) or Spencer (Brown) and says let's do it, let's give the world the biggest fight out there.

"Listen, we can only hope, but let's see what happens - good luck to him and whatever he decides we wish him the best."

The two domestic rivals have long been mooted to share the ring, and have even inked agreements in the past to do so before seeing the plug pulled on the blockbuster bout.

An undisputed world title showdown was all but agreed in 2021, only for the fight to be cancelled after Deontay Wilder surprisingly invoked his rematch clause for a trilogy showdown with Fury after the Morecambe man had battered the American in the United States.

A second chance to stage the showdown was also missed later that year after Joshua was forced to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO titles against number one contender Usyk; a fight he subsequently lost, before being beaten a second time in the rematch late in 2022.

But, despite both men relinquishing possession of their previously held world titles, Fury v Joshua remains a fight with huge appeal, and maybe, just maybe it remains the one final payday that could see the Gypsy King reverse his latest retirement decision.

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Mark Mothershaw

• Tyson Fury
• Anthony Joshua
• Matchroom
• Queensberry
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