Hearn: Joshua-Fury a Way Bigger Fight, Event Than Joshua-Wilder

Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom is practically pleading with former world champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) to get back in the gym and get himself in order for a ring return.

Fury has been out of the ring since November 2015, when he shocked the world by traveling over to Germany to unseat Wladimir Klitschko for the IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO world titles. Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) stopped Klitschko back in April to unify the WBA, IBO, IBF belts.

The stage has been set for a Joshua vs. Fury showdown, if the right pieces fall into place.

But there are several problems in getting that done, because Fury is still out of shape, he still has a hearing with UKAD - who claim he failed a drug test in early 2015 - and Fury has yet to regain his license to box.

The other fight in Joshua's future is a showdown with WBC champion Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs), which Hearn views as a much smaller fight when compared to a UK stadium event against Fury.

"You talk about AJ versus [Deontay] Wilder but it's nowhere as big as AJ against Fury. That is a fight that can be built into something huge. Two completely different characters, two completely different styles, two undefeated heavyweights, two unified champions. An incredible match up," Hearn told Sky Sports.

"But Tyson needs to get back on the horse, and show the British public he's still serious, show the British public that he is here and back in the game. But, that doesn't come on social media it comes from being in the gym and getting through the ropes.

"We would like to help him clear up his stuff with UKAD and start building a schedule that will lead to Anthony Joshua. AJ has told me 100 percent that he has no problem with the Fury fight. He wants to give the public the biggest fights out there and nothing comes bigger than Joshua v Fury, so we are going to sit down with AJ and Tyson Fury, and try and build a plan to give what will be unquestionably the biggest fight British boxing history has ever seen."