'The chance has been missed' – Ricky Hatton explains why he believes Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury may never happen

08/28/2024 02:18 PM

Ricky Hatton believes Tyson Fury’s fight with Anthony Joshua won’t happen in 2025.

Fury and Joshua could be on a collision course next year if the former gets revenge against Oleksandr Usyk in their December 21 rematch, and AJ defeats Daniel Dubois in their IBF title clash on September 21.

Irrespective of the results, the pair could decide to finally settle their rivalry with promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren now confident of sealing a future deal.

But ex-world champion Hatton, who is friends with Fury, still doesn’t expect the pair to finally do battle given the verdict on the ‘Gypsy King’ after his defeat to Usyk.

“It depends on the next performances [in their next fights],” Hatton told Action Network.

“Tyson didn't look great against Oleksandr Usyk [in their first fight].

“Don't get me wrong it was a good fight, I'm being a little bit unfair there because fighters like Usyk only come along every now and again. He's exceptional.

“But he wasn't great against Francis Ngannou, I think he would agree with me on that one.

“We're all starting to think has Tyson got too many miles on the clock now? It seems to be the case after the last couple of fights.

“I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in this one against Usyk.

“But I don't see the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight happening now.

“I think we've lost our chance and it was criminal it didn't happen a few years ago when they were both in their prime.”

Fury and Joshua have been destined to meet for several years in arguably the biggest fight to be made in the heavyweight division.

There is huge interest, particularly on British shores, in seeing their rivalry settled, but it has yet to materialise despite both being towards the peak of their powers.

Joshua and Fury have come so close to meeting on multiple occasions including for the undisputed titles in 2021, but the fight collapsed with the latter forced to accept a trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder.

With the new investment of Saudi Arabia in heavyweight boxing, there is renewed confidence that the mega showdown can finally be agreed.

Despite Hatton’s fears, Joshua’s promoter Hearn believes that 2025 will be the year that a positive step can finally be taken.

He said: “I think the reality is that if Joshua beats Daniel Dubois on September 21, which I believe he will, and if Fury beats Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch on December 21, which I think he can – even as the underdog – then that fight is next.

“And it becomes the unification for the undisputed heavyweight championship.

“His Excellency will make sure that fight gets made. If one of them wins and one of them loses, it can still get made.

“But right now, we just have to focus on a great moment in the heavyweight division.

“Through Riyadh Season, we've seen some tremendous heavyweight fights get made.”