Eddie Hearn on Joshua’s challenge against IBF champ Dubois: “I view this as a vacant world heavyweight title fight”
In a recent interview with Betfred, prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn shared his perspective on the upcoming heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, shedding light on his views about the bout’s significance and its implications for the heavyweight division. Hearn’s comments also touched on the potential for a highly anticipated fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury, as well as speculated about the possibility of an Oasis reunion at the event.
Dubois vs. Joshua: A Vacant World Heavyweight Title Fight
Eddie Hearn addressed the heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, emphasizing that he does not view Dubois as a true world champion until he secures a victory over Joshua. Hearn reflected on Dubois’s journey, noting that while Dubois had previously fought Oleksandr Usyk for the IBF title and performed reasonably well, he was subsequently elevated to a full champion after beating other contenders, including Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgović.
Hearn expressed his reservations about the process that led to Dubois’s current status, suggesting that Dubois’s championship claim is somewhat contentious. He asserted that, despite Dubois’s current designation as a world champion on paper, he regards the forthcoming fight against Joshua as a de facto vacant world heavyweight title bout. According to Hearn, Dubois’s true claim to the heavyweight throne will be validated only if he manages to defeat Joshua, which would cement his status as a legitimate world champion.
AJ vs. Fury: A Fight for the Ages
Turning to the potential clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, Hearn conveyed his belief that this much-discussed fight will materialize regardless of the outcomes of their respective upcoming bouts. Joshua is set to face Dubois, while Fury is scheduled to fight Oleksandr Usyk. Hearn is optimistic that irrespective of the results of these fights, the long-anticipated bout between Joshua and Fury will eventually come to fruition.
Hearn underscored that the Joshua-Fury fight has been a topic of constant speculation and excitement in the boxing community. He is confident that if both Joshua and Fury secure victories in their upcoming matches, it will pave the way for what could be one of the most significant fights in the history of the sport. Hearn’s focus is squarely on the September 21st fight between Joshua and Dubois, but he also highlighted the importance of Fury’s performance in his own bout to set up this potentially historic showdown.
**Oasis Reunion Speculation: A Dream That Might Not Come True**
The interview also touched on the speculation surrounding a possible Oasis reunion performance at the event featuring Joshua and Dubois. Hearn was skeptical about the likelihood of such a reunion occurring at this particular event. He speculated that Oasis, the iconic British rock band, might have their own plans for their reunion and that it is unlikely they would coordinate it around the boxing match.
Hearn mentioned Turki Al-Sheikh, a prominent figure in the sports and entertainment industry, as someone who might have had conversations about facilitating such an event. However, Hearn’s assumption was that the band would likely kick off their reunion tour separately from the boxing match, suggesting that their plans for a reunion might be set to begin at the start of their planned tour rather than aligning with the September 21st fight.
In summary, Eddie Hearn’s comments provide a detailed look at his views on the upcoming heavyweight fights, the future prospects of a Joshua-Fury bout, and the speculated Oasis reunion. Hearn’s insights reflect his strategic thinking and high expectations for the boxing landscape in the coming months.
