Eddie Hearn and Bob Arum are, or are not, talking to each other about an Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury later this year. Hearn says yes. Arum says no.
But they are talking at each other through the media in a noisy trash-talk exchange that figures to rage on – and on – for the next three to four months.
Hearn fired back at Arum and promotional partner Frank Warren, who trashed Hearn for saying there had been preliminary discussions about a possible Joshua-Fury fight in December. Warren called it rubbish. Arum said there was no reason to talk, because the fight will never happen. Kubrat Pulev, Arum says, will beat Joshua.
But Hearn counters, saying that, of course, Joshua-Fury was mentioned during negotiations for Pulev-Joshua on June 20 at Tottenham in north London. Hearn promotes Joshua; Arum is Fury’s co-promoter and also promotes Pulev.
“Of course, I have,’’ Hearn told iFL TV. “Firstly, I have been negotiating the Pulev fight with him. So, how many times have I spoken to Bob Arum in the last three weeks? Half a dozen times? A dozen? How many times have I spoken to Bob Arum about the Fury-vs.-Joshua fight? Four times. Of course, I’ve spoken to Bob Arum.’’
Hearn was just getting warmed up. He went on:
“What do you think? Bob Arum isn’t going to call me about it? Mate, this geezer is all over it like a rat up a drain pipe. He was the first one calling me. ‘Oh, what do we got to do to make this fight? How are we going to make this fight?’ Blah-blah-blah-blah.
“We’ve been talking loads.’’
More loads to come.
Read more:
Frank Warren, Bob Arum insist there are no Fury-Joshua talks