Eddie Hearn has not ruled out a third fight between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk, even though Joshua’s immediate path is built around Kristian Prenga and Tyson Fury.

Usyk has already beaten Joshua twice, first in London in 2021 and then in Jeddah in 2022, but Hearn says Joshua’s long-term goal remains clear: win back the world heavyweight title.

“His endgame is to win the world heavyweight championship again,” Hearn said. “He wants to beat Tyson Fury and he wants to win the world heavyweight championship again.”

Joshua returns in July against Prenga, with the long-awaited Fury fight expected later this year if both men come through their next bouts. Hearn believes wins in those fights would put Joshua back in position for any major heavyweight opportunity.

Although Joshua and Usyk have recently become training partners, Hearn does not believe that would automatically prevent a third fight. “Part of AJ would always love to fight Usyk because he's got beat twice,” he said.

Hearn also admitted Joshua’s comeback will carry extra emotion after the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of two of his close friends. “There’s a lot of pressure going into this fight,” he said. “Not just what’s coming after, but what he’s been through as well.”

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