Fury and White cast doubt on Joshua showdown in Cardiff
Negotiations stall as Fury and UFC boss question Eddie Hearn’s commitment to the December heavyweight clash.
Negotiations over the December heavyweight showdown in Cardiff have hit a fresh snag, with both Tyson Fury and UFC chief Dana White publicly questioning the viability of the bout.
Earlier this week a deal was announced that would see the two biggest British boxers of the era meet at the Principality Stadium on 11 December, a fight hailed as a potential record‑breaker for ticket sales and television revenue.
However, the optimism was short‑lived. Fury took to his YouTube channel on Saturday to suggest the chances of the fight materialising were “about one per cent”, adding that “if you’ve got a guy that wants to fight, and you’ve got a guy that doesn’t want to fight, then how are you going to make that fight happen?”
Fury’s comments came after Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, publicly disputed the involvement of American UFC boss Dana White, who had been named as a co‑promoter alongside The Ring – a venture owned by Saudi Arabian powerbroker Turki Alalshikh.
White, speaking to Sky Sports after Johnny Fisher’s victory at the Copper Box, rejected any suggestion that he was stepping back.
“I’m involved in the fight.” If Eddie Hearn really cared about this fight, first of all it would have happened a long time ago, number one.
Number two, he could finance the thing himself. The guy who’s supposed to be helping the fight has been hurting the fight the entire time.
The clash of statements has left fans and industry insiders alike uncertain whether the December date will survive the current impasse.
Hearn has not offered a detailed rebuttal, but his earlier comments hinted at frustration with the “American interference” that he believes could jeopardise the commercial structure of the event.
Both fighters are slated to appear at a joint press conference in London on Wednesday, an appearance that is expected to provide further clarity on the contractual stalemate.
Industry analysts note that the involvement of The Ring, backed by Alalshikh’s considerable financial resources, was originally intended to bridge any funding gaps and add a layer of international prestige to the bout.
Should the fight fall through, the Principality Stadium – which has already sold a substantial portion of its 74,500‑seat capacity – could face a significant revenue shortfall, with local businesses in Cardiff bracing for a loss of holiday‑season tourism.
Local hoteliers have already reported a surge in bookings for the week surrounding the fight, and the cancellation of the event would ripple through the city’s hospitality sector.
Meanwhile, the broader heavyweight landscape remains in flux. Fury, who last fought in August, has hinted at a possible return to the ring later this year, while Joshua’s camp has been quietly exploring alternative opponents should the Cardiff clash collapse.
Legal experts suggest that the contractual clauses governing promoter responsibilities could become a focal point if either side seeks to withdraw, potentially leading to arbitration or litigation.
For now, the boxing world watches as the two camps prepare to face each other in London, a meeting that may either cement the December showdown or confirm its demise.
Fans will have to wait for the next few days to see whether the promised “biggest British fight of the era” will indeed go ahead, or whether the negotiations will unravel completely, leaving the Principality Stadium empty on 11 December.