Dispute deepens over Joshua-Fury fight venue and terms
Eddie Hearn has sensationally claimed Anthony Joshua is being asked to take a pay cut and perform additional duties as the row surrounding his blockbuster fight with Tyson Fury intensifies, reports BritPanorama.
The British heavyweight rivals have signed agreements to finally meet later this year, but a major dispute has erupted regarding the venue for the showdown. Hearn insists Joshua’s agreement specifies the fight must take place in Britain. However, Saudi-backed organisers Sela are advocating for the contest to be held in America, with Madison Square Garden in New York emerging as a potential destination. Streaming service Netflix is also believed to favour a US staging.
Hearn has launched a strong defence of Joshua, asserting that changing the location would financially disadvantage the 36-year-old. “What they want to do is they want to pay Anthony Joshua less money because that’s how it will work out with the difference in location,” Hearn said, adding that “they want him to do a load of additional stuff.”
Further escalating tensions, Hearn claimed some parts of Joshua’s current contract have already been breached. He expressed that they have allowed certain issues to slide because the involved parties were previously considered partners. Hearn indicated ongoing concerns about outstanding payments related to previous events and suggested that misinformation is being circulated to imply that Joshua and his team are responsible for the disputes.
Amidst these escalating concerns, Hearn noted that Joshua is facing pressure from external parties to accept the proposed changes. “He’s under so much pressure. He’s got people phoning around the back, ‘Come on AJ. Oh, don’t do this. Oh, don’t do that,'” Hearn told iFL TV. However, Joshua reportedly maintains his stance: “I know what I signed for. I want it in the UK.”
The tensions have also seen Fury accusing Joshua and Hearn of seeking more money from Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, suggesting this dispute could jeopardise the fight. Hearn’s camp asserts that Joshua is merely insisting that the original agreement is honoured.
Despite the increasingly bitter exchanges, Hearn has insisted that neither fighter can simply abandon the contest. “We’ve signed the contract, we’re waiting for a date,” he stated. “The fight’s signed. No one can pull out of the fight. You can’t just pull out of a contract.”
As discussions continue, Joshua and Fury remain on track to potentially collide before the year ends, though the resolution of financial disputes and contract terms looms large over British boxing’s most anticipated fight. With each passing day, the stakes heighten, showcasing how financial interests and contractual obligations can sometimes overshadow the sport itself.
