Eddie Hearn claims Anthony Joshua has "unfinished business" in America but finally landing a fight with Tyson Fury remains his priority.

The former two-time unified world heavyweight champ hits the comeback trail on Saturday when he faces Jermaine Franklin at London's O2 Arena after back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. 

AJ is eyeing a first victory since 2020 and the rewards could be substantial, with WBC title-holder Fury, Deontay Wilder and old rival Dillian Whyte all viable options in the coming months. 

While Hearn retains a degree of confidence that a collision with Fury could happen late this summer, the US market remains on the menu after Dallas-based Joshua's only previous appearance resulted in a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2019. 

The Matchroom supremo said: "You could say he lives there now, he trains there and I think there is a little bit of unfinished business in America. 

"The experience of Madison Square Garden was unbelievable but when you look at the fights out there it is only Wilder that could appeal to the US market.

"We'll see what happens on Saturday but for me I would like to make the Fury fight if he wins. 

"Neither guy would have a fight, the politics would be gone and it might be a chance to get it made. But we've been there before, so we'll see."

Joshua loves fighting in the UK and especially at The O2, where he will return this weekend for the first time since 2016.

Seven years ago, the Olympic gold medallist had just started his run of 12 consecutive world title fights. 

But no belts are on the line for what has been dubbed a new dawn for the 33-year-old against Franklin, who lost on points to Whyte last November.  

Hearn added: "I'm not as calm as AJ but it's a massive fight. We're in a position now where it is must-win. 

"You can dress it up and say there is less pressure, no belts, but ultimately if he doesn't win there will never be another belt, so that's the aim. 

"Trainer Derrick James has done a lot of work with him, so we'll see an aggressive Anthony Joshua and a smart Anthony Joshua. 

"If he lets Franklin get confident, it is going to be a very dangerous fight, so he must hurt him early."