Joshua, Fury bout for summer of 2018, says Hearn

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been talking over text message and Eddie Hearn is optimistic an all-British blockbuster between the two unbeaten heavyweights could take place later this year.
Joshua is currently on the verge of a spring showdown with WBO champion Joseph Parker, with Hearn hopeful of announcing the unification clash early next week.
The promoter claimed last month that a meeting with Fury was ‘un-makeable’, with Joshua also claiming it was ‘fantasy’ to believe the fight could happen in 2018.
But following recent discussions between the two camps, Joshua’s team are more optimistic that they could strike a deal with Fury for later this year.
‘I spoke to Tyson Fury this morning. He even got in contact with Anthony Joshua at the weekend so we’re all talking. That’s a fight we would sit down now and make for 2018,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘It won’t be next because we know what we’re trying to do next. We’re trying to clean up the division and win all the belts. But if it has to be the one after in the summer or the one after that, we’re ready to sit down and make that fight now with Tyson Fury. And Anthony Joshua is too.’
Fury has challenged Joshua to meet him in his first comeback fight. But Hearn poured cold water on those suggestions. He said: ‘Tyson talks about getting in the ring in April and fighting Joshua – that’s not going to happen. We can’t base our career on a guy that still has six or 7st to lose, that doesn’t have a British Boxing Board of Control licence, that hasn’t boxed for two years.
‘We’re desperate to see him back – we’ll even give him a fight, it’d be a massive return. But we’re prepared to make the Tyson Fury fight for the summer or winter of 2018. Unquestionably. But let’s see him back.
‘Tyson Fury is a great fighter, it’s a tough fight for Anthony Joshua but it’s one we want, one the British public want and we will make that fight, make no bones about it.’