Eddie Hearn, promoter of IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, wants Tyson Fury’s titles to be on the line if a deal can be agreed for a fight with former beltholder Wladimir Klitschko.
Fury is expected to be stripped of his WBO, IBO and WBA titles after it emerged on Friday that the world heavyweight champion tested positive for cocaine during a random drug test issued by VADA [Voluntary Anti-Doping Association] on September 22, with a decision to be made next week.
Fury has been inactive since last November's decision win over Klitschko to capture the titles in Germany. He withdrew from a July rematch with Klitschko after claiming an ankle injury, and then he withdrew from their rescheduled date on October 29th - citing a serious battle with depression. His uncle and trainer Peter Fury does not expect him back in the ring until 2017.
“The first objective for us is to make the fight with Klitschko and the decision from the governing bodies on the belts will come after that,” Hearn said.
“We’ve not got a deal yet, but there’s definitely a desire from both sides to make the fight happen. I will speak to [Klitschko’s manager] Bernd Boente and Klitschko and AJ over the weekend.
“If there was any doubt about Fury being stripped that has gone after this latest positive test. It’s just if AJ fights Klitschko what belts will be on the line? I think every governing body would want to sanction Joshua-Klitschko. For me the issue is not if another belt is on the line, it’s how many. I think it could be four with the IBO.
“I just can’t see going to a sanctioning body and saying ‘Do you want to sanction it?’ and them turning around and saying ‘No’. I don’t think it should just be a voluntary defence of Anthony’s IBF belt. It’s bigger than that.
“Klitschko’s options might change a bit because it might make it easier for him to fight for the vacant belt. But financially, it’s the biggest fight out there for each of them.”
