Eddie Hearn, promoter for IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, says his boxer is very eager to take part in his Essex Fight Camp series - which is being targeted to begin in July.
Hearn recently told Daily Mail that he wants to stage fight nights, without fans in attendance, on four consecutive Saturdays in the 15-acre grounds of his Matchroom headquarters in Brentwood, Essex.
He spoke to Joshua, who advised his promoter that he wants to take part on one of these shows - which is not going to be possible.
Boxing has been on pause since mid-March, when the coronavirus pandemic broke out in full force and most countries went into lockdown.
When the pandemic came down, Hearn was forced to postpone events in several countries - including Joshua's mandatory defense against Kubrat Pulev, which was scheduled for June 20 in London.
The Matchroom CEO has been speaking to his entire stable - and the majority of them are ready, willing and able to get back in the ring.
"Ninety percent of fighters are ready to go," Hearn told IFL TV.
"They want to carry on their career. I was talking AJ, AJ wants to fight here at Fight Camp. I don’t think that’s necessarily an option. But he wants to fight. This is what he does, I want to go back to the office, I want to go back to work. That’s what I do.
"I’m sure fighters would prefer to fight in front of live crowds, of course you would. That’s not going to be an option in the interim and may not even be an option until next year. So, be a pro, get prepared and get a fight in the bank. Get your money in the bank, progress your career and let’s go."
