The highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has encountered new doubts following recent remarks from both Fury and promoter Dana White. On Friday, it was officially announced that the two British boxing stars had reached an agreement to face off in Cardiff on December 11.
However, soon after the date was set, complications arose when Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, questioned the role of American promoter Dana White. White, who heads the UFC and Zuffa Boxing, was designated to co-promote the fight alongside The Ring, an organization owned by Saudi Arabian figure Turki Alalshikh.
On Saturday, speaking on his YouTube channel, Fury claimed that Joshua and Hearn were trying to back out of the fight, estimating the chances of it happening at just one percent. He stated, “If you have one fighter willing and another not willing, how can you expect the fight to take place?”
Dana White remained firm during a Sky Sports interview after Johnny Fisher’s victory at the Copper Box on Saturday. “I’m involved with this fight,” he said. “If Eddie Hearn really wanted this fight, it would have happened a long time ago. Plus, he could finance it himself. The person meant to support the fight has actually been undermining it all along. We’ll know more in the next few days.”
White’s comments followed Hearn’s assertion earlier in the week that Joshua’s team did not consent to Fury being the main event, or A-side, for the matchup. Fury’s name was listed first on the promotional poster released by Netflix on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Hearn told iFL TV on the same day, “There’s still plenty to figure out regarding the fight, like who gets what. Sure, it’s been announced as Fury versus AJ, but that was never formally agreed. We’re expected to hold a press conference next week, but to be honest, I’m unsure if that will happen because we still have several issues to resolve.”
Both fighters are expected to attend a press conference in London this Wednesday.
Fan Take: This ongoing uncertainty highlights the complex business dynamics behind major boxing events and keeps fans on edge about one of the biggest matchups in recent memory. If finalized, Fury versus Joshua could redefine the heavyweight division and bring renewed global attention to the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
