Promoter Eddie Hearn is siding with Tyson Fury to defeat Oleksandr Usyk by knockout next Saturday night, seven days from now, on May 18th, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Hearn says he “really” wants WBC heavyweight champion Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) to defeat IBF/WBA/WBO champ Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) to win, and it’s easy to understand why.
The Golden Goose Factor
If Fury is victorious against Usyk, it would work in Anthony Joshua’s favor because that would create the possibility of His Excellency setting up an immediate Fury-Joshua fight for later this year.
Eddie’s golden goose, Joshua, stands to rake in a lot of cash if Fury is victorious against Usyk, and it’s hard to ignore that part of the equation in Hearn’s prediction for next Saturday.
A win for Fury would open the floodgates for a massive cash fight for Anthony Joshua, a match that would bring in untold riches for AJ.
Why Fury’s Win is Crucial for Team Joshua
- Financial windfall: Joshua-Fury = $$$$$
- Fury is 35 and looks every bit it.
- Joshua is 34, resurrected under Hearn’s magic touch (with the help of four consecutive soft touches)
Joshua vs. Fury would be a huge fight. If Hearn’s knockout prediction for Fury is correct, it increases the chances of those two meeting before the end of the year.
The Saudis won’t want to wait and take the chances of Fury losing the rematch with Usyk, because it would be a possibility.
Given Fury’s history of celebrating with food and letting his weight get out of control after a big win, he could lose the rematch with Usyk if it happens later this year. That’s why it’s important that His Excellency put together the Fury-Joshua fight this year rather than waiting until Fury fights Usyk a second time.
Can Fury Deliver on Hearn’s Knockout Prophecy?
“I didn’t think he’d beat Wladimir Klitschko. I didn’t think he’d beat Deontay Wilder, but I’ve also gone against Usyk,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to Matchroom Boxing, discussing next Saturday’s undisputed heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh.
“I believed AJ would beat Usyk. Right now, if Fury comes out like he did for Wilder II, and he’s aggressive with smart pressure, I think he can stop him. That’s what I’m going for right now,” said Hearn. “I hope Fury can do that, I really want him to win that fight.”
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