Dana White has recently fired back emphatically at questions about his role in the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight following Eddie Hearn’s dismissal of White’s claims regarding the event’s production. Hearn, whose Matchroom Boxing promotes Joshua, and Frank Warren, representing Fury, have been publicly at odds with White, who, supported by Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh and the Zuffa Boxing outfit, insists that he will be heavily involved in producing the heavyweight bout for Netflix.
Since the beginning, tensions between Hearn and White have been high, with White suggesting he had initially arranged for the fight to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York before it was ultimately set for Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Hearn has repeatedly denied White’s assertions about his participation in the fight’s production or promotion, citing contractual restrictions. White’s confrontational stance spilled over into a press conference after Johnny Fisher’s recent Zuffa Boxing event in London, where he brusquely told a British journalist, “you know what you’re doing,” when pressed about his role in the so-called ‘Battle of Britain.’
Following the latest Contender Series event, White again lost his temper with a reporter asking about UFC’s involvement in the fight’s production after Hearn appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show. White declared emphatically, “That’s a fact,” and expressed frustration that questions focused more on his involvement than on the fighters themselves. He stated, “I am producing the fight. I am promoting the fight. I will be there for it,” and added that he and his production team are traveling back to Vegas immediately after the event. White emphasized he had just held a meeting about the fight the previous day and found the continued questioning “silly.” He challenged anyone to dispute his claims of involvement, underscoring that the fight has finally been made and will generate massive revenue for Fury and Joshua.
In response, Hearn has openly criticized White for inaccuracies throughout the negotiation process, pointing out that White incorrectly stated the fight would be held in America, claimed to be the promoter, and said he had secured the venue—none of which were true. Hearn also took issue with White’s absence at the press conference in London, attributing it to White’s obligation to attend the UFC Contender Series event earlier that day.
White defended his absence, explaining, “It’s strange if Dana White doesn’t show up to Dana White’s Contender Series on a Tuesday,” noting he hadn’t missed one in ten years. He clarified that the timing of the UFC 332 press conference in Utah was chosen specifically to accommodate Turki’s presence, dismissing any suggestion of confusion surrounding his schedule.
Fan Take: This ongoing clash between White and Hearn highlights the power struggles behind one of boxing’s most anticipated heavyweight matchups, showing just how complex fight promotions can be. For fight fans, understanding who controls the production and promotion not only impacts the viewing experience but also signals possible shifts in how mega-fights are managed in the future, potentially blending boxing and MMA’s promotional styles.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
