Eddie Hearn has described UFC president Dana White as “completely cooked” amid the ongoing dispute over who will handle the promotion of the highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight. Hearn, who promotes Joshua through Matchroom Boxing, and Frank Warren, representing Fury, are at odds with White and his Zuffa Boxing team—supported by Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh—who insist they will manage the event’s Netflix broadcast production.
Hearn has openly opposed White’s involvement from the outset. White was notably absent from the launch press conference on Wednesday, citing his prior commitment to UFC’s Contender Series. While White has promised to attend the fight in Cardiff on December 11, Hearn recently released a viral compilation video of White making inconsistent and confusing statements about the event, further escalating tensions.
Speaking at a press conference in Birmingham after Ben Whittaker’s win over Conor Wallace, Hearn criticized White sharply, stating, “To be honest, at this point, I think he’s just completely cooked.” He pointed out that White claimed to be producing the TV coverage, which violates the existing contract. Though initially reluctant to share the video exposing White’s contradictory remarks, Hearn felt compelled after White’s latest statements. After discussing with Saudi events company SELA, Hearn confirmed in writing that White is contractually barred from this role.
At UFC 332 on Saturday, where Natalia Silva became the new UFC women’s flyweight champion, White defended his position, asserting, “I will be there. We’re producing the show—just like with Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford. My entire team will be managing it, and I will have my phone on the table just like every other show I’ve produced.”
Despite the heated rivalry, Hearn extended a cautious olive branch by praising White’s persistence and suggesting a possible meeting in Los Angeles next week to resolve their disagreements. Hearn acknowledged White’s determination but emphasized that White could only be involved if Joshua and his team agree. He also noted that while Netflix and Turki Alalshikh want White’s involvement, he seeks clarity on what benefit this brings to Joshua and his camp before making any decisions.
However, White quickly dismissed the prospect of a meeting, stating he had not been informed of any plans to hold discussions. “I haven’t heard anything about any meetings next week. I answered these questions already. I’ll be there, producing the event, and I don’t care who made the deal. See you in Wales,” White said.
Fan Take:
This showdown is more than just a major heavyweight clash; it’s a power struggle between two of combat sports’ biggest promoters. How this dispute resolves could set a precedent for future cross-discipline events, potentially reshaping how boxing and MMA collaborate on global stages.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
