Eddie Hearn picks 'Man Utd of boxing' between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury is the closest thing heavyweight boxing has to Manchester United, based on Eddie Hearn's comparisons.

Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom Sports, has plenty of influence in boxing's highest-profile bouts. The next big fight on the horizon sees Anthony Joshua take on Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, potentially teeing up a Joshua vs Fury bout in 2025.

Fury is a big fan of his local side United, and has regularly been seen in attendance at their Old Trafford Stadium. Joshua, meanwhile, was part of an investment group which held talks about putting money into his own boyhood club Watford.

Hearn, for his part, is a Tottenham Hotspur fan. When comparing boxers to football clubs, though, it was AJ who he picked out as the closest to his beloved Spurs.

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"Because, written off, come back, always there or thereabouts and ready to win the league," Hearn told The Mail when explaining the Joshua-Tottenham comparisons. As for Fury and United, his explanation was that both have been "Considered top for a long time, but now there might be some question marks".

Deontay Wilder was compared to Chelsea. "Top of the game for a while, nice few quid... deserted him a little bit, not quite sure if they're still in it," Hearn said.

Hearn also compared the England national team to Ricky Hatton and Manchester City to Canelo Alvarez. "All the money, plenty of ability... might be unbeatable" he said of the latter.

Joshua has the chance to justify Hearn's comments about him being ready to win it all when he takes on Dubois. However, his younger opponent's camp has high hopes ahead of the Wembley clash.

Do you agree with Eddie Hearn's comparisons? Have your say in the comments section

"Joshua had an impeccable amateur record and is a two-time world champion as a professional," Dubois' promoter Frank Warren said. "He's a big favourite but in Daniel's last three fights he has fought much much better opposition than Joshua has, he's really stepped up against well-ranked guys.

"I think he gave Usyk a much tougher fight than Joshua did and his last three opponents were all undefeated. He's matured so much, not just physically but mentally as well. He's found his voice; he used to be quiet and not say much to his opponents but now he's not frightened to say how he feels. He's going into this fight without the fear factor. There is always the end of an era in boxing, that's what happens. People reach their peak and the new guy on the block comes along and takes over.

"Daniel has had a good grounding. What people forget about him is he turned professional five years younger than Joshua did and if you look at his opponents, he's fought at a very high level, probably higher than most of the heavyweights out there. Boxing is about winners and the British public love their fighters and if Daniel comes through, they're going to love him even more. I think he can be a great ambassador for British boxing."