Anthony Joshua reportedly declined a roughly $10 million offer on top of his fight purse from TKO Group—the parent company of UFC and WWE—to serve as the primary promoter for his highly anticipated bout with Tyson Fury, and to hold the event in the United States, according to Eddie Hearn on Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show.” Joshua insisted that the fight, scheduled for December 11, remain in the UK and that the existing contract terms be respected, specifically excluding TKO’s promotional involvement.
This rejected offer has intensified the ongoing conflict between Matchroom Chairman Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White over White’s influence in the fight. Hearn disclosed that TKO presented a formal proposal to Joshua’s team, which he believes reflects TKO’s desperation to prove the success of their recently launched Zuffa Boxing venture—a success Hearn doubts given Zuffa Boxing’s sparse U.S. event schedule since January.
“Their recent inactivity in the U.S. market makes it crucial for them to be visibly involved in the biggest fight in the world to sell the venture to shareholders,” Hearn explained. This perceived need drove their willingness to pay a significant premium to be part of the Joshua-Fury fight. Hearn criticized Zuffa Boxing as “absolutely abysmal” since its launch, suggesting it forced UFC to push aggressively for a role in the UK mega-fight.
After the fight’s confirmation two weeks ago, tensions rose when Netflix’s press announcement credited Dana White with promotional involvement—something Hearn was firm against, as it conflicted with contractual agreements. This revelation nearly derailed the event, leading to confusion between Netflix and the involved parties and prompting interventions from Saudi Arabia’s SELA. Despite this, Hearn successfully barred White from the fight’s official press conference and from being named a promoter.
Hearn hinted at the possibility of future cooperation with White, but only once ongoing disputes subside. He criticized White’s refusal to acknowledge contract terms or initiate constructive dialogue, which has fueled the public media battle. Recently, White even claimed UFC would oversee the event’s production—another point Hearn disputes—indicating their rivalry remains unresolved.
While many fans would relish seeing Hearn and White face off live, Hearn feels confident in his ability to outshine White in a press conference setting, describing the potential encounter as “like taking candy from a baby.” Ultimately, Hearn emphasized that White’s involvement is entirely contingent on their approval.
Fan Take: This behind-the-scenes power struggle highlights the complex politics shaping major boxing matches today and underscores the clash between traditional boxing promotion and emerging combat sports powerhouses. For fight fans, the outcome may redefine how big fights are marketed and promoted in the future, potentially changing the sport’s global landscape.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
