Hearn asserts Fury is contractually bound to Joshua bout despite social media dispute
Promoter Eddie Hearn states the heavyweight contract is signed, countering Tyson Fury’s claims of financial disagreements and venue conflicts.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has maintained that Tyson Fury is contractually obligated to face Anthony Joshua, dismissing recent social media posts by the former world champion that cast doubt on the proceedings. Hearn, who represents Joshua, told DAZN that the agreement is already signed and that the only mechanism for cancellation would be a formal breach of contract by one of the parties.
The dispute arises after Fury claimed on Friday that the proposed fight was in serious doubt, alleging that Joshua and his team had demanded additional funding. In his posts, Fury labelled his British rival and his camp "cowards" for what he described as money-grubbing. Hearn characterised these communications as "shouting and screaming," arguing that the contractual status renders the public disagreement moot.
A significant point of contention involves the venue for the all-British bout, which is currently proposed for November. The original contract stipulated a United Kingdom location, but Saudi organisers Sela are advocating for a move to the United States. Madison Square Garden in New York has been identified as the likely venue should the relocation proceed.
Hearn acknowledged that while he and his team would prefer a domestic location, they have presented specific terms to Sela to facilitate a US-based event if necessary. "We know everybody and his dog involved in the fight wants to do the fight in America. We don't," Hearn stated, indicating a willingness to compromise on location to secure the date.
The current standoff follows a previous breakdown in negotiations in 2021, when plans for the clash collapsed after a US judge ruled that Fury was required to face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy fight. That earlier legal intervention had delayed the anticipated heavyweight unification for several years.
As the proposed November date approaches, the focus remains on whether the financial and logistical terms can be finalised between the camps. Hearn remains confident that the signed agreement will hold, despite the public friction between the two fighters.
