Eddie Hearn has made it clear that Dana White is no longer involved in the plans for the Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight, following accusations that White was undermining the event as discussions pivot towards Cardiff as a potential location. Negotiations between promoters and fighters have stalled due to various disagreements, with Netflix, the broadcasting partner, pushing for the bout to be held in the United States to better appeal to the American audience.
However, the original contract specifies the fight must take place in the United Kingdom, and both Hearn and Joshua are resisting the suggested venue change, seeking additional compensation to offset potential losses. Despite ongoing tensions, UFC and Zuffa Boxing leader Dana White took another jab at Hearn during a pre-fight press event for Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn, claiming he has “never seen somebody do more damage to a fight.”
White also warned that these stalled talks might cause the showdown between two of Britain’s biggest boxing stars of this era to fall apart, suggesting stakeholders may abandon negotiations entirely. “We’re literally right on the edge of ending talks and the possibility of the fight happening,” White said to IFL TV. “It’s gotten ridiculous. Let’s just fight already.”
When pressed about who is promoting the highly-anticipated bout, White confidently declared, “it’ll be me,” yet Hearn firmly rejects White’s involvement. Hearn told The Independent, “Unfortunately for Dana, he’s realized two things. One, he has no role in this fight, and two, Joshua signed a contract requiring the fight to be in the U.K., which is exactly where he wants it held.”
“Now that Dana is out of the equation, we’re progressing with Netflix and SELA to find a suitable date in the U.K. We have a legally binding contract to fight Tyson Fury in the U.K., and we’ve stood our ground on that.” Hearn added, “There’s still work to be done, but hopefully, British fight fans will hear some fantastic news soon… keep your fingers crossed.”
While Hearn is against the fight occurring at Madison Square Garden in New York, The Times has reported that Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is being considered as an alternative venue. Its retractable roof could help manage the colder British winter conditions expected in November or December. However, scheduling may pose challenges, as the Welsh rugby team has a test match against Australia set to kick off at 8:10pm GMT on the same date, potentially complicating logistics for a late-night bout.
Fan Take:
This update is crucial for fight fans because it clarifies who is really steering the Joshua vs Fury negotiations and highlights the struggle to secure a venue that honors contractual obligations while maximizing commercial appeal. The resolution of this dispute could shape the future of major boxing events in the U.K., impacting how global promoters balance local commitments with international market demands.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
