Hearn stated a fight with Fury was ‘tricky’ to make and that the Ring Magazine champion wasn’t an integral part of Joshua’s ‘ultimate plan’ when speaking to Sky Sports this week, leading to the 29 year-old’s following response to the Matchroom boss.
“Eddie Hearn please stop using my name on a daily basis to build AJ vs Parker,” said Fury.
“You have had your chance to make me versus AJ and declined many times!
“I’ve already told you it will be on my terms & the split will be 60/40 my end, see you in summer / autumn 2019,” he added.
Despite both fighters stating a fight was possible in 2018, these latest comments have now all but ruled out any clash taking place in the next twelve months.
Fury has to shake off the cobwebs of a lengthy absence, whilst Joshua has his hands full with Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin and potentially Deontay Wilder over the coming months.
Pencilled in for a comeback in April or May, Fury’s only avenue to securing Joshua on a mandatory basis would be to firstly beat a top 15 contender with the WBA before a battle with ‘regular’ title holder Manuel Charr.
As WBN exclusively revealed last week, Frenchman Johann Duhaupas has offered Fury that chance as the WBA’s International ruler and hopes to tie up a deal over the next few weeks.
American Shannon Briggs has also thrown his hat into the ring and could be a strong consideration to be Fury’s return opponent.
