Matchroom founder Barry Hearn is trying to shift the focus back to the boxing ring as the ongoing feud between his son Eddie Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White has mostly hijacked the headlines.
But with the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua mega-fight officially locked in for December 11 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Netflix, the veteran promoter is breaking his silence. The 78-year-old has delivered a blunt breakdown of the matchup, warning that both heavyweights are highly vulnerable to getting hurt early.
Barry Hearn Says Early Shot Could Settle Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
Barry has followed Anthony Joshua’s career alongside his son Eddie for a long time. He believes Joshua has the heavier hands, but warns that power comes with defensive risks. He expects a brutal slugfest that will force Joshua to perform at his absolute best.
“Both of them are vulnerable, both of them can punch. AJ might be the more vulnerable, but he’s certainly the heavier puncher,” Barry told the Press Association, per ESPN. “So, it is really going to come down to who lands the best shot early and who believes in themselves enough to keep their strategy.”
Both fighters are entering the bout after surviving difficult summer tests. Fury, 38, holds a 36-2-1 record with 25 knockouts. The “Gypsy King” is fresh off a seventh-round corner retirement victory over Mariusz Wach in Thailand.
Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Joshua held a 30-4 record with 27 knockouts. He was coming off a second-round knockout win over Kristian Prenga after recovering from two early knockdowns. The highly anticipated matchup ended a decade of failed contract negotiations, giving both fighters one final shot at absolute heavyweight supremacy.
Barry Hearn Explains Anthony Joshua’s Mindset Before Tyson Fury Fight
Barry explained that AJ looked relaxed at the opening press conference. He linked that calm mindset to a tragic car crash in Nigeria that took the lives of two of Joshua’s close friends and team members. He revealed that Joshua genuinely feels he was spared for a greater purpose.
“He’s quite chilled,” Barry said. “If you watched his body language at the press conference, I mean, AJ is never going to exchange banter with Tyson Fury… he’s excited to find out about himself as well. And sometimes these things end in failure and sometimes you have the greatest day of your life. Either way, it is just the sport.”
The statistics back up his view. Joshua’s 27 knockouts in 30 wins show his heavy power. However, the two knockdowns he suffered against Kristian Prenga in July expose his defensive flaws and vulnerability. Since Fury fought through all 12 rounds in both of his losses to Usyk, a fast start is Joshua’s best chance to end the fight early.
PHOTO CREDIT: IMAGO / Bildbyran
