Heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury announced that his highly anticipated fight with Anthony Joshua is off, directly accusing Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, of causing the collapse. Fury, speaking on social media, labeled Hearn a "money-thirsty piece of s--t" and accused him of seeking additional funds from Saudi boxing investor Turki Alalshikh.
"Quick update: Doesn’t look like they’re going to sign the fight," Fury stated. "Doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. All because Eddie Hearn and that want more money."
Fury, known as "The Gypsy King," detailed his grievances, asserting that Hearn and Joshua have already received substantial financial backing from Alalshikh for various deals, including boxing, darts, and snooker. He characterized their demand for more money as audacious and cowardly.
This latest development follows a series of disagreements surrounding the proposed bout. UFC/TKO Boxing President Dana White had previously indicated he was promoting the fight, a claim that Hearn later disputed, stating his company, Matchroom, would handle promotion. Reports of the fight potentially taking place at Madison Square Garden on November 20 were also met with opposition from Hearn, who has consistently advocated for the fight to be held in the United Kingdom.
Fury suggested that Hearn's insistence on a UK venue was a negotiating tactic to secure a larger purse for an American fight. Hearn has confirmed that he is seeking an increased purse for Joshua to offset potential taxes in the United States.
Dana White expressed frustration with the ongoing disputes, stating he was not "playing these games with these guys."
Fury indicated that if the fight with Joshua does not materialize, he may seek another opponent for November. He made aggressive remarks towards Hearn and Joshua, vowing to defeat them regardless of any circumstances.
Both fighters are coming off recent victories. Anthony Joshua secured two TKO wins, including one against Jake Paul and another against Kristian Prenga in July. Tyson Fury's last bout was a seventh-round TKO victory over Mariusz Wach in June.