Advertisement

Eddie Hearn: 'No chance' Anthony Joshua signs Tyson Fury fight contract on Monday

Eddie Hearn speaks with Anthony Joshua - GETTY IMAGES
Eddie Hearn speaks with Anthony Joshua - GETTY IMAGES

Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn says there is "no chance" his fighter will meet Tyson Fury's Monday deadline to sign a contract for their mega-fight in Cardiff on December 3.

On Saturday night Fury set Joshua a 48-hour deadline to sign the deal, insisting he would "move on" if the agreement wasn't completed.

Both Frank Warren and his son George, who has been negotiating directly with Hearn, confirmed to Telegraph Sport that talks will continue in earnest on Monday. George Warren said that they will "continue to try to get the fight over the line". Sources close to Joshua have also indicated that the former heavyweight champion "wants the fight".

But Hearn insists his boxer will not be rushed into agreeing the deal having waited to receive the contract.

"There is no way this contract gets signed on Monday because there is still a lot to be done," Hearn, speaking to SecondsOut.com, said at his Matchroom event in Nottingham. "The conversations have been decent and are moving in the right direction, but there is a long way to go. This fight takes time. We waited 10 days to get the contract... all of a sudden he wants it signed in 24 hours. No chance."

Fury had issued his ultimatum from ringside at the Joe Joyce versus Joseph Parker fight in Manchester, claiming that Joshua was now running away from the contest having accepted the initial proposal for the date, venue and a 60/40 purse split in favour of the WBC champion Fury, in a fight expected to generate £80 million.

"I'm sick of setting deadlines. They either want this poxy fight or they don't," said Fury. "They have had time to sign this contract."

Hearn claimed that Fury's comments indicated that he will actually fight German heavyweight Mahmoud Charr in December.

"Fury wants to fight Manuel Charr, it's pretty obvious, and the public are not the brightest if they actually think otherwise. If he comes out with statements like that... we'll see.

"Guess what? The fight isn't getting signed on Monday. So if you want to walk away from that, while we are all trying to make it – including your promo team – off you go."