Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua contracts could be exchanged following Saturday's fight

Anthony Joshua makes his comeback against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday and his promoter claims a contract could soon be made for a belated fight with Tyson Fury

15:14, 28 Mar 2023Updated 15:19, 28 Mar 2023

[Eddie Hearn says contract details for a Fury vs Joshua fight could be exchanged next week]

Eddie Hearn says contract details for a Fury vs Joshua fight could be exchanged next week(Image: PA)

Eddie Hearn claims a fight contract for Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could be exchanged as early as next week - should AJ make a winning return on Saturday.

Joshua is making a long-awaited comeback to the ring against Jermaine Franklin at The O2 Arena in London, seeking his first victory in over two years. The two-time world champion faces Franklin knowing his career is on the line after two damaging defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.

And Joshua could have the tantalising prize of a belated showdown against WBC champion Fury if he gets past the American heavyweight.

Fury's proposed undisputed title fight against Usyk on April 29 is now off and Joshua's promoter Hearn insists an agreement could easily be made with the Gypsy King's camp after the Franklin bout.

I have had talks this week with George Warren and fundamentally the original contract is still in place and we all know that the timing is perfect now, as it happens because of the circumstances with Usyk," Hearn told the Daily Mail.

Will Anthony Joshua ever fight Tyson Fury? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below

[Hearn says there is "so much at stake" for Joshua with the Fury fight back on the cards]

Hearn says there is "so much at stake" for Joshua with the Fury fight back on the cards(Image: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty I)

"This is the very last chance for this huge fight to happen. I expect to be exchanging pilot contracts with Queensberry soon. Maybe as early as next week. AJ knows theres a big opportunity. At last. So much at stake now, but he also has his total focus on Franklin.

Matchroom kingpin Hearn is hugely optimistic that Joshua will secure a statement win against Franklin, but the 33-year-old has now revealed that he will retire if he suffers a disastrous third straight defeat on Saturday night.

[Joshua says he will retire if he loses to Franklin]

Joshua says he will retire if he loses to Franklin(Image: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty I)

"I will retire if I lose," Joshua told MailOnline. "I'm not here to battle people. If people want me to retire I will retire. I'm not going to fight if people don't want me too.

"It's not even about the money. It's about the competitor in you. That's what's important. It [pressure] comes with the business and it comes with the territory, I know that.

"I know when I am retired, I am gonna be chilling. I'm gonna be thinking f**k everyone. I am done. You lot put so much pressure on me so when I am done, the chains are going to be gone. I am going to be laughing and loving life."

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