Tyson Fury bravely discusses his battle with mental health

Eddie Hearn insists Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder winner 'has to fight Anthony Joshua'

Wilder defends his WBC title against Fury for the second time in Las Vegas on February 22 after the pair fought for a controversial draw during their first meeting in December 2018

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Eddie Hearn has insisted that the winner of the rematch between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder cannot avoid a unification fight with Anthony Joshua.

Wilder, 34, defends his WBC world title against Fury, 31, for the second time in Las Vegas on February 22 after the pair fought for a controversial draw in December 2018.

Joshua, who reclaimed his WBA, WBO and IBF straps with victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in December, has his sights set on a clash with the victor as he looks to complete the collection and become undisputed heavyweight champion.

The 30-year-old's promoter Hearn believes that a fight with the Bronze Bomber or Gypsy King must happen and repeated his assertions that he is prepared to offer an equal purse split to make it happen after seeing earlier offers rejected.

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Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder are set to meet for the second time on February 22(Image: PA)

The Matchroom boss told TalkSPORT: "For once I agree with my esteemed colleague [Frank] Mr Warren, the winner has to fight Anthony Joshua, there's no doubt about it.

"Fury is talking a brilliant game for this fight and he's an excellent self-promoter. The fact is, we have made offers to Fury and Wilder of 60/40 way before they were as relevant as they are now and they both turned it down.

"So we have been actively trying to make this fight, we've been round the houses, it's been talked about for ages.

"60-40 to both and they wanted 50/50. Like I said in an interview the other day, maybe we will have to make that offer next but there's no point talking about a deal until that fight is over - but when that fight is over we have got to get it made."

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Eddie Hearn believes the winner of Fury v Wilder cannot avoid a fight with Anthony Joshua(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Both Fury and Wilder have voiced their desire to settle the score with the Joshua, but Hearn believes it would be easier to arrange a fight with the Brit.

The promoter also hit back at the American's recent criticisms of AJ, adding: "Tyson Fury, one thing is for sure, will fight Anthony Joshua. He actually wants to fight Anthony Joshua and I believe that, and I know AJ wants to fight Tyson Fury.

"He's doing a lot of work now in America, you know he's got Top Rank, MTK, it would be very easy to make that deal with Fury.

"Wilder, he's made a few comments that makes me think, like he said that Joshua just isn't relevant. (Joshua's) got four of the belts in the heavyweight division, he's the biggest star of the division, of course he's relevant.

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Joshua has his sights set on becoming undisputed heavyweight champion(Image: Getty Images)

"And he wants to fight the winner because without it, he can't call himself the best.

"We believe Joshua is the best fighter in the world, Fury believes he's the best in the world, Wilder believes it as well. Everybody has got their opinions but the proof is in the pudding.

"Wilder vs Fury doesn't tell you who the best heavyweight in the world is, the winner of that fight against AJ tells you who the best heavyweight in the world is and we have to see it."