Tyson Fury has intensified doubts over his proposed fight with Anthony Joshua, accusing his fellow British heavyweight and promoter Eddie Hearn of delaying the bout because they want more money.
The two former world champions had been expected to meet in November in one of the biggest contests in British boxing history. However, disagreement over where the fight should take place has created fresh uncertainty, with Joshua’s camp having signed for the event to be staged in the United Kingdom while Saudi organisers are pushing for a move to the United States.
Fury criticised Joshua and Hearn in a series of posts on Instagram, claiming the fight now appeared unlikely to happen.
“Doesn’t look like they’re going to sign the fight and it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, all because Eddie Hearn and that want more money,” Fury said.
He later described Joshua and Hearn as “disgusting” and “money-thirsty”, before adding: “It is what it is. Same old cliche a decade later. Keep running you little cowards.”
Fury also called Hearn a “bag carrier” and said Joshua had “never had the guts” to face him.
Both fighters hold separate agreements with Saudi-owned Sela. New York’s Madison Square Garden is understood to be the organisers’ preferred venue, with the fight due to be broadcast on Netflix and marketed towards an American audience.
Hearn has confirmed that he sent Sela a list of proposed changes to the agreement. The main issue concerns Joshua’s financial terms, because of the different tax consequences of holding the contest in the United States rather than the UK.
The Matchroom promoter also raised practical concerns involving travel, accreditation and media arrangements. He said Sela had not yet responded to the proposals.
“In layman’s terms, by staging the fight in America, Anthony Joshua receives less money than he would do if the fight was in the UK, where he was contractually agreed,” Hearn said.
The negotiations have also become more complicated following the emergence of Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing. The company is jointly owned by Sela and TKO Group Holdings.
Hearn has accused the two organisations of persuading Saudi officials that the Fury-Joshua contest would have greater commercial appeal if it was staged in the United States.
Fury, though, said he would welcome White’s involvement in negotiations on his side. He also maintained that there was still significant backing within British boxing for the long-awaited fight to be held in the United Kingdom.
The proposed contest has been discussed for years and would bring together two of Britain’s most prominent heavyweights. Fury’s latest comments nevertheless underline the uncertainty surrounding the agreement, with the venue, financial arrangements and logistical details still unresolved.
