Venue dispute casts doubt over Joshua-Fury heavyweight bout

Tyson Fury has stated that his upcoming bout with Anthony Joshua "doesn't look like it's going to happen," pointing to a dispute over the fight's location and compensation. The heavyweight, who has won 36 of his 39 professional fights, posted a series of Instagram stories accusing promoter Eddie Hearn of seeking additional money. The fight was originally expected to take place in November, marking one of the most significant events in British boxing history.

The uncertainty stems from a conflict between Joshua and Hearn, who have signed a contract for the fight to be staged in the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabian-owned Sela, which is pushing for a move to the United States. Sela is understood to prefer New York's Madison Square Garden to cater for American audiences, with the fight set to broadcast on Netflix. Fury described Joshua and Hearn as "disgusting" and "money-thirsty" in his social media posts, suggesting he would "move on and fight somebody else" if the deal collapses.

Hearn responded by confirming that a list of changes, or addenda, had been sent to Sela to address the practical implications of moving the fight to America. These changes cover tax implications, travel, accreditation, and media arrangements. Hearn noted that the primary concern is compensation, as Joshua would receive less money in the United States due to different tax structures compared to the contractually agreed United Kingdom location. He stated that Sela had not provided feedback on the addendum for three or four days.

The situation is further complicated by the involvement of Zuffa Boxing, a promotion jointly owned by Sela and TKO Group Holdings, with TKO acting as the managing partner. Hearn argued that TKO and Zuffa have tried to convince Sela's leadership that the fight is massive in America. In response, Fury invited UFC president and Zuffa executive Dana White to join his side, stating, "Get in, Dana. You want to make the fight, you can come on my side." Hearn also clarified that a separate meeting with Sela regarding money owed for previous contracts, including darts and snooker events, was distinct from the Joshua-Fury agreement.

Hearn defended the push for a United Kingdom venue by highlighting its importance for British boxing, amateur clubs, and young fans. He emphasised Joshua's history in Britain, including winning Olympic gold at London 2012 and the World Championship, arguing that the fight should take place where Joshua "absolutely changed the face of boxing forever." Both Sela and TKO have been contacted for comment regarding the ongoing negotiations.