Joshua-Fury fight faces fresh uncertainty over promotional dispute

The proposed heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has been thrown into further uncertainty after Dana White questioned whether the contest will take place as scheduled. Joshua and Fury are due to meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11, but an argument over the event’s promotion has become a major obstacle. White, who runs Zuffa Boxing with Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh, has been presented as the principal promoter.

White said he did not know whether the bout would proceed and blamed the dispute on the person expected to assist with the event. His comments were reported by the Daily Mail and cited by Punch Nigeria. He also described the situation as a shambles and said more should be known within three or four days.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has argued that White’s participation breaches an agreement involving his fighter. Hearn told IFL TV that White could not be involved in promoting the contest and complained that the parties were not communicating effectively. Fury has taken the opposite position, saying he has agreed to everything required to make the fight happen.

He credited Alalshikh and Netflix with financing the event and argued that Matchroom Boxing should not dictate the promotional arrangements. The bout was announced as a collaboration involving Alalshikh’s The Ring and White and is due to be broadcast on Netflix. Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, has said White helped secure the Netflix deal.

Fury has also accused Hearn and Joshua of attempting to withdraw, while suggesting that another opponent could be found if Joshua pulls out. The dispute comes shortly before the fighters are expected at a London press conference on September 30. The contest has already survived several failed negotiations since the two camps agreed to a potential two-fight deal in 2020.

With less than 11 weeks before the scheduled date, its promotional arrangements remain unresolved.