“AJ has said to me, ‘I will fight Wilder and Fury back-to-back,’” Hearn said to talkSPORT Boxing.
That stance is notable because Wilder remains one of the most dangerous non-title fights available in the heavyweight division. Even after recent defeats, his punching power makes him a serious risk for any comeback opponent.
Hearn said the Saudi-backed group behind the current proposal does not want Joshua taking that kind of danger before a planned Fury fight later in the year.
“The deal that we’ve been offered is not with Deontay Wilder in mind. The powers that be don’t want us to be in that kind of fight.”
That suggests the priority is preserving the bigger commercial fight with Fury rather than placing Joshua into a high-risk July return first.
Joshua has not fought since his stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois, and a July comeback has been widely discussed as the likely next move. A controlled return would allow him to rebuild before entering a major stadium event.
Hearn insisted there is no reluctance from Joshua’s side if Wilder somehow returns to the table.
“We have no problem fighting Wilder. I don’t think it will be Wilder under the basis of this deal, but we will have to see.”
That may be the clearest sign of where things stand. Joshua appears willing. Wilder remains dangerous. But the people financing the next move seem focused on getting Joshua to Fury intact. That usually tells you where boxing business is headed.
It is the classic boxing business model, just with a much deeper wallet behind it. While fans want to see the best fight the best, the people signing the checks, specifically the Saudi-backed Riyadh Season team, see Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury as the ultimate jackpot.
From their perspective, putting Joshua in with Deontay Wilder in July is risky. Even if Joshua is the favorite, Wilder’s power means the entire 2026 schedule could be deleted with one right hand.
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