Eddie Hearn has admitted that a deal for Anthony Joshua to fight Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium is still not complete, despite a press conference being scheduled for later this month
Eddie Hearn has issued a stark warning that Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois might not clash in the ring if their negotiations hit a snag.
Despite a press conference pencilled in for June 26 in London, the Matchroom boss stressed that an agreement between the heavyweight contenders is still up in the air, reports the Express.
In a candid chat with iFL TV, Hearn, 45, appeared visibly concerned as he revealed the much-anticipated bout between AJ and Dubois is far from confirmed.
He confessed: “There’s nothing done yet. Honestly, genuinely. We’re in final negotiations for AJ’s fight – nothing is agreed yet. I’m telling you right now, the fight with Dubois is not done and if it don’t get done, we won’t fight.”
Hearn, when quizzed about alternative opponents, conceded that while they are keeping their “options open”, the priority remains to secure Dubois for a world title showdown at Wembley. He elaborated: “We’re focused on fighting Daniel Dubois for the world title at Wembley. But it is not all agreed, there’s still work to be done.”
“But 100% myself, his excellency [Turki Alalshikh], George Warren – we’re all working together to make it happen. That’s the absolute focus, no-one’s trying to be clever and hopefully that all gets in order for the big press conference next week.”
The provisional date for Joshua to take on Dubois at Wembley Stadium is slated for September 21, with AJ hinting on social media that the deal is nearing completion. His post read: “Nearly finished my negotiations for my next fight! Feeling motivated.”
Joshua’s most recent fight was in March, where he achieved a knockout victory over Francis Ngannou at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia. There was much speculation about how AJ would perform against his opponent, especially after ex-UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou lasted the full distance with Tyson Fury in his boxing debut in October 2023.
However, the Watford scrapper, with a record of 28-3, managed to knock ‘The Predator’ out with a powerful right in the second round. On the other hand, Dubois is well accustomed to facing some of the best heavyweights currently fighting.
With a record of 21-2, the Londoner triumphed over Filip Hrgovic, Jarrell Miller and Kevin Lerena. He has only been defeated by undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce in his career so far.
