Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury hits another snag due to involvement of Dana White

Sponsored AD

ProboxTV’s championship series is now on the ProBoxTV YouTube channel for $5/month.

Learn More Sep 26, 2026 • 10:20 AMAdd BoxingScene on GoogleUFC/Zuffa Boxing└Dana White address the media during the Zuffa Boxing 01 post-fight press conference in Las Vegas, Nevada (January 23, 2026)

One day after it was confirmed that Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will at last fight on December 11, at Cardiff, Wales’ Principality Stadium, it is being reported that the long-awaited heavyweight showdown is in jeopardy.

Tyson Fury claims he scrapped contract clause to allow Dana White role in Anthony Joshua fight

The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, an employee of Ring owner and the event’s financier Turki Alalshikh, posted on X late Friday: “Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua could be called off due to issues, according to sources, and a replacement fight between Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia is being considered.”

It is understood that the ‘issues’ are again down to contracts not being adhered to.

For a long time, the crux of the delay was down to the location: Joshua’s contract stipulated the bout should take place in the UK; Fury’s did not.

One thing that was consistent in those initial contracts, however, was the involvement of Dana White. Neither Joshua, promoted by Eddie Hearn, or Fury, promoted by Frank Warren, wanted Dana White and TKO to promote the event.

Yet White has made it clear for several months that he’s been a key figure in the event and its making.

Then came the official press release confirming the fight on Thursday, from broadcaster Netflix, which alluded to White being the promoter of the fight.

Joshua, via Hearn, subsequently objected to White being involved because it is stipulated on his contract, very simply, that he should not be involved.

Following Coppinger’s social media post, Fury created his own.

“Breaking news,” he began. “Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn are trying to pull out of this fight they are saying he is not going to fight now.

“They’re little shithouse cowards, mainly to do with Eddie Hearn’s ego, he’s making up a million different things and threatening that ‘we’re not going to fight’, you little coward.

“AJ pull your finger out you white flag, yellow-bellied coward. You know now we’re coming home, now I’m coming home the Gypsy King is coming back to the United Kingdom to thrash you in front of all my fans in Wales.”

Coppinger, after his initial tweet, then suggested it might be Fury versus David Benavidez.

“Now you’ve got Turki Alalshikh finding alternative real men who will fight at the drop of a hat,” Fury continued.

“So, I hope you are happy, you little cowardly bastards. I’ve never seen anything like you. You’re pure shithouses, and this is mainly to do with Eddie Hearn’s ego.

“What a little prick. He’s cost us the biggest fight in boxing history. Clown.”

Incidentally, the retired Terence Crawford, who last fought at 168lbs, has already ruled himself out of a fight with welterweight Garcia.

David Benavidez vs Andy Ruiz Jr?! Jose Benavidez Sr. REVEALS Huge Fight Plans

David Benavidez has no shortage of HUGE fights on his radar. In an exclusive interview with BoxingScene, Jose Benavidez Sr. makes it clear that David still wants the biggest names at 175lbs including Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. Benavidez has previously said those are two fights he wants to make as he pursues more titles and major challenges. But there’s another name that could make things very interesting: Andy Ruiz Jr. Jose discusses the possibility of an all-Mexican showdown between Benavidez and the former heavyweight champion, along with David’s plans across multiple divisions. And with a potential Jai Opetaia showdown also building after the pair came face-to-face following Opetaia’s latest victory, Benavidez has some massive options ahead.