Joshua, who has scored ten straight knockouts in the pro ranks on the back of winning Olympic gold, faces Kevin Johnson on January 31 before Hearn hopes to begin a run towards a fight with Fury in the summer.
Fury overwhelmed Chisora on Saturday night in London to remain undefeated and put himself firmly in the mix to fight Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, although Hearn is keen to persuade the big puncher to face Joshua in a huge domestic clash.
“Tyson Fury is on the horizon for next summer, but AJ faces a big challenge here (against Kevin Johnson),” said Hearn in his Daily Mail column.
“It’s been outstanding to watch Anthony destroy all his opponents so far. We all knew he was good but no-one quite expected him to be so devastating that after 10 fights he wouldn’t have reached the fourth round.
“Johnson is sure to give him that test. This is a guy who has never been stopped in 36 fights – he is seriously durable. He has been in with Vitali Klitschko, Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora – none of them could stop him.
“Personally, I expect Anthony to stop him inside the distance and do what other big heavyweights failed to do.
“It’s amazing that within 10 fights AJ is already the most popular heavyweight in the country. We have already sold 6,000 tickets for his fight at the O2 Arena and the fight is nine weeks away.
“We are moving towards the inevitable, which is a fight with Fury and the other top domestic fighters. It’s going to be great times for British boxing.
“I watched the main event from the show at the ExCel at the weekend and I have to say Fury-Chisora was one of the dullest heavyweight fights I have seen. With the fight starting well past midnight and many missing their transportation home, boos rang out after only a few rounds as the crowds started to disperse.
“Fury is a great character and a quality fighter but do you really see him coping with Anthony’s power, speed and work rate? Do you not think Anthony would have blasted Chisora out of there far earlier?
“People ask if AJ is ready to fight Fury but, to be honest, is Fury ready to fight AJ? I believe this is a fight that will bring both men to new levels in terms of financial rewards. It’s a numbers game and these numbers add up.”
Fury, 26, has already seen two massive bouts with another compatriot fall apart following David Haye’s double withdrawal in 2013 and 14, but is known to be open to any fights if the big money is on the table.
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