Hearn and White Issue Conflicting Claims on Joshua-Fury Promoter Role

Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said on June 11 that he negotiated the Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury fight contract over three months with SELA and Turki Alalshikh. Hearn stated that the contract contains a clause requiring the bout to take place in the United Kingdom, most likely at Wembley Stadium in November, provided both fighters win their next bouts.

He added that Dana White, TKO, and Zuffa have no promotional involvement in the show. Dana White stated at a news conference on June 6 that he will be the lead promoter for the fight and that Hearn had no hand in negotiating the contracts. White said he knows where the fight will take place and told reporters to "Call Eddie right now and ask him where the fight is" and "Call Eddie and ask who negotiated the contract for the fight.

Hearn called White's claims bizarre and said White is "absolutely clueless" about the contract terms. He stated that White's boxing business is attempting to attach itself to the biggest fight in the sport. Anthony Joshua is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25.

Tyson Fury is reportedly taking an interim fight later in the summer of 2026. The public dispute between Hearn and White began earlier in 2026 after Zuffa Boxing signed British boxer Conor Benn. Golden Boy Promotions issued a cease-and-desist to Zuffa Boxing and TKO Group earlier in the week of June 11 regarding interference with Ryan Garcia.

DAZN also sent a cease-and-desist to White over the same matter. ESPN reached out to Zuffa Boxing for comment on June 11, and the promotion did not immediately respond.