Tyson Fury is still in his “prime age” and his return to boxing is great for the sport, says Eddie Hearn.
Fury, 37, confirmed in early January that he will return to fight in 2026, almost a year after announcing his final retirement from the ring.
Fury, who has not fought since his second loss to heavyweight rival Alexander Usyk in December 2024, is expected to take the warm-up fight first before facing some of the other big names in the heavyweight division later in the year.
“It’s interesting,” promoter Hearn said Ski Sports News.
“I guess on the one hand you want to prepare yourself for a challenge against an elite guy. On the other hand, you’re coming back after a long layoff. Maybe you don’t want too much of a challenge.
“I know some of the names that are in the mix, and I’ll leave it to Turki (Al-Sheikh) and Tyson Fury to mention those guys. We’ve got guys that would be up for the challenge.”
“But overall, it’s great to see him back. He’s gone from not really posting on social media to every time I pick up the phone, there’s a new story about Tyson Fury.”
“Boxing can save you at many different stages in your life. I don’t think he was at a stage in his life where he needed saving, but you can say that boxing saved him once, probably many times and, in fact, he looks happier than ever and full of life.
“Even outside of boxing, I think physical training is the biggest form of mental help you can get in so many different situations.
Two-time world champion Tyson Fury regularly posts on social media his preparations for his comeback
“And I think Fury looks like he’s buzzing right now. He’s in Thailand, right? Or wherever he is. He runs every morning.
“He inspires me! I look at it, I’m like, ‘Well done’. We’ve had a lot to say over the years, but I love the fact that he’s back in boxing.”
Fury, who turns 38 in August, may not have fought in over a year, but Hearn said: “I think he’s an amazing fighter. I think he’s brilliant for the game. And he can be involved in some big fights.”
“And by the way, he’s still in his prime. He lost two very close fights to Alexander Usyk. It’s not like, ‘oh, he’s done now.’
“Yeah, it’s good to see him back. It would be interesting to see who he faces. I think they’re potentially talking around April.”
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Promoter Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua should take time out from boxing before deciding his future following the tragic deaths of close friends Sina Gami and Latif Ayodele, who were killed in a car crash in Nigeria.
A fight with former world champion Anthony Joshua appeared to be on the cards for later in 2026, but Joshua is currently taking a break from boxing after his close friends and teammates, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Adoyele, were killed in a fatal car accident in Nigeria last month.
Joshua was also in the car and required hospital treatment for minor injuries before returning to the UK.
Hearn said Joshua is “the only vote” that can make the decision about his future in sports.
“At this point, who knows? I don’t think it’s something to discuss publicly, not even with AJ. So really, what’s been discussed in the past (about the Fury fight) is kind of irrelevant,” Hearn said.
“The key will be, if and when, Anthony decides to come back to boxing. When he does, or if he does, that’s when we’ll start to see what the road map looks like. But like I said, at this point those talks are a long way off.”