Promoter Eddie Hearn has warned Anthony Joshua against sparring British rival Tyson Fury - but admitted he's powerless to stop him.
Shortly after reclaiming the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles against Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia, Joshua offered to help Fury train ahead of his rematch with WBC champion Deontay Wilder, scheduled for 22 February in Las Vegas.
“Fury if you need me, if you need me for sparring – we’re going to fight one day, I’ve sparred Tyson Fury when we were kids anyway – I’ll go out to America to spar Tyson Fury to get him ready for this Wilder fight,” Joshua said.
Fury immediately accepted the offer, but Joshua’s promoter backtracked on the idea with the pair destined to eventually meet in what would be one of the biggest all-British fights in history.
Hearn also added that Fury risked opening up the severe cut he sustained during his bout with Otto Wallin back in September and jeopardising the Wilder rematch, despite the undefeated 31-year-old being cleared to begin training camp.
Yet Hearn admitted that, if Joshua decided to follow through with the offer, there is little he can do to prevent him. Speaking to IFL TV, Hearn said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he went out there.
“Doesn’t matter what I or Rob [McCracken] will say, he’ll just go. I wouldn’t want to open up that cut.”
Fury’s rematch against Wilder was finally confirmed last week as the pair look to settle their dramatic and controversial draw in December 2018.
