Eddie Hearn reveals which opponent Anthony Joshua will target if long-mooted Tyson Fury bout fails to materialise

Eddie Hearn still harbours hopes of a long-speculated domestic heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury but has a contingency plan in place should the Gypsy King opt to remain in boxing wilderness.

The two British boxing behemoths have long been mooted to meet inside the ring, with talks having reached an advanced stage on numerous occasions in the past.

In fact, Fury even took to social media to announce a deal had been agreed for the two to square-off in Saudi Arabia in 2021, only for the showdown to be cancelled after Deontay Wilder surprisingly opted to invoke his rematch clause after being beaten by the Morecambe man a couple of months earlier.

Discussions have reconvened on numerous occasions since, including in 2022 and earlier this year, although a deal has still yet to be struck despite the best efforts of Saudi Arabian boxing bank-roller Turki Alalshikh.

However, it's understood that 'His Excellency' has made securing an agreement for the clash his priority for the new year, and even hinted at a potential imminent announcement during the recent Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 bill, when he revealed plans for 'two huge surprise fights in the UK for 2026'.

Hearn, who has promoted Joshua since the London 2012 Olympic gold medalist turned professional, says he, like Alalshikh, remains determined to secure the fight for his charge, but has revealed an alternative option is currently being worked on.

“A fight in February in Riyadh and then Tyson Fury," the Matchroom supremo answered when asked what could be next for AJ on Sky Sports.

But that deal is not agreed yet with Tyson Fury. If that can’t happen, a fight with Fabio Wardley for the world heavyweight title - that’s still the aim.

- Eddie Hearn (Sky Sports)

Wardley's remarkable rise to world championship glory has opened a potential pathway to Joshua, who remains keen to become a three-time heavyweight title-holder.

He missed the chance to achieve that feat when he was comprehensively beaten by Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last September, and has spent the past 12 months address personal issues whilst pondering his next move.

A shock bout with Jake Paul was announced as Joshua's next venture a couple of weeks ago, although Hearn is adamant that fight fans can expect to see the British star back in more legitimate heavyweight affairs in 2026.

"This is just an opportunity we couldn’t say no to," Hearn went on to say.

"But 2026 normal business shall be resumed, and normal business is to try to become a three-time heavyweight world champion, or to beat Tyson Fury."