Joshua Wants A Tune-Up, Fury Will Have To Wait

This forced Joshua to scrap a targeted March return. Hearn is adamant that Joshua won’t dive into the deep end against Fury immediately. With the Fury contract currently under legal review by Team Joshua, the roadmap for the remainder of 2026 is becoming clear.

While the name Deontay Wilder continues to circulate following the American’s victory over Derek Chisora, Hearn suggested the opponent will be someone who provides a stern test without jeopardizing the massive end-of-year payday. While the terms are on the table, Hearn insists that Joshua’s mental well-being and competitive sharpness take precedence.

Hearn Reacts

“We received the contract last week, we are going through that. He is about to get the all clear in terms of the physical side to return to full training, and that is great news. We expect to see him back in the ring in July. I think it is very likely [he will have a tune-up fight]. Fury has just had his tune-up fight with 12 really vital rounds to get him sharp for the next one, and I expect us to do the same,” Hearn said 

For Joshua, the next few months are about more than just boxing; they are about honoring the memory of the teammates he lost by returning to his best. If he successfully navigates a July warm-up, the stage will finally be set for the fight with Fury.