“If he feels like he needs a good fight, I like that because what that tells me is that he’s not quite sure of himself because he’s done 12 good rounds with Makhmudov, right? Up to a point where, do you really need more rounds? That’s what the fans will say. Does he need another one? Because it puts it in there that it could go wrong with Skying,” he said of putting Skying at risk.
Hearn pointed to Fury’s recent comments about Joshua’s return match and questioned why the former heavyweight champion now feels another outing is necessary.
“He told us, ‘Oh, you don’t need another fight. We had four rounds with Jake Paul.’ I mean, in two years of boxing, like come,” Hearn said. “You had 12 rounds with Makhmudov at Tottenham, but you still feel you need more rounds to prepare yourself for Anthony Joshua.”
Fury defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov over 12 rounds in April after returning from retirement. At the time, many expected him to move directly into a fight with Joshua. Instead, Fury continued to push for another appearance before the British heavyweight clash.
Hearn doesn’t believe extra rounds will make a difference when Fury finally shares the ring with Joshua.
“But let me tell you something right now. More rounds aren’t going to help you, because I see it. When Makhmudov came forward in that fight, I just know what AJ is going to do.”
The Matchroom promoter said Joshua’s focus remained on Prenga, but admitted a strong performance next month could send him into the Fury fight with renewed faith after a difficult period outside the ring.
“If we keep this confidence, if we can go in there and put on a great performance on July 25, we’ll go into that Tyson Fury fight with so much confidence. It will be a big moment for the sport, but July 25 has to come first,” Hearn said.
