Dana White, the founder of the UFC and the driving force behind the new Zuffa Boxing venture, recently disclosed that he personally arranged the location for the highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. In an interview with Sky Sports, White emphasized that his organization, TKO—which oversees UFC, WWE, and Zuffa Boxing—handled every aspect of the deal, from television rights to the actual venue contract. \n\n\"We are the ones who negotiated the entire package for this fight. I closed the venue agreement, which is why I know exactly where it will happen.
We at TKO took care of the broadcast deal and everything else," White explained. His confidence stems from his recent experience in boxing promotion; after only six months in the sport, he has already brokered several high‑profile agreements and built relationships with both fighters' camps.\n\nThe speculation surrounding the fight’s location has been intense.
Many pundits have suggested that the match could be staged in the United States, a move that would likely generate massive pay‑per‑view revenue. However, Eddie Hearn, the promoter for Anthony Joshua, has publicly argued for a UK venue, stating, \"I strongly believe this event belongs in Britain, and we will do everything we can to make that happen.\" White countered that the ultimate decision will be driven by financial considerations: \"At the end of the day, the truth is you go where the money is.\"\n\nFor nearly a decade, Fury and Joshua have been the two dominant figures in the heavyweight division, each boasting impressive records and massive fan bases. Despite countless rumors and occasional verbal sparring, a fight between the British champion and the Irish‑born contender has never materialized.
The delay has been attributed to a complex web of promotional politics, broadcast negotiations, and, according to White, the egos of the promoters involved.\n\nWhite did not mince words when describing the current state of heavyweight boxing. \"It’s been a total mess. It’s unbelievable how chaotic this whole situation has become,\" he said.
He added that the sport’s longstanding issues are not merely about money but also about the personal ambitions of the individuals who control the matchmaking process. \n\n\"Look at the situation: the Saudis are willing to put huge sums on the table for this fight, yet the promoters keep putting their egos before the fans. It’s not about the sport; it’s about personal pride,\" White remarked. He went on to criticize the promoters as being among the weakest he has ever encountered in combat sports, noting that their focus on self‑interest often prevents the most compelling fights from reaching the public.\n\nThe interview also touched on White’s personal history with both fighters.
He recalled first meeting Anthony Joshua after the British heavyweight’s stunning victory over Wladimir Klitschko, a win that White described as a turning point for the sport. \"After that fight, I thought, this is exactly what boxing needs—a charismatic, good‑looking champion who can talk to the audience and inspire a new generation,\" White said.\n\nHis relationship with Tyson Fury, meanwhile, began when Fury was struggling to secure high‑profile bouts following his loss to Deontay Wilder.
White remembered Fury’s attempts to generate buzz by trash‑talking UFC fighters, a strategy that coincided with their first meeting. \n\n\"I’ve always liked Tyson. He’s incredibly tough, and after being knocked down by Wilder he came back like a zombie, finished the fight, and showed the world why he’s one of the best heavyweights ever,\" White noted, adding that Fury’s resilience and personality make him a fan favorite.\n\nThe conversation also highlighted the broader landscape of boxing in 2026. Several major events are slated for the year, and streaming services such as NOW are positioning themselves as contract‑free alternatives for fans who want to watch fights without long‑term commitments.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports continues to promote its own boxing coverage, encouraging viewers to use Chrome for an optimal video experience.\n\nWhite’s comments underscore a pivotal moment in heavyweight boxing: the convergence of massive financial backing, a potential venue secured by a non‑traditional promoter, and two of the sport’s biggest stars finally on a collision course. Whether the bout will take place in the United Kingdom, the United States, or a neutral location remains to be seen, but White’s assurance that the deal is already in place suggests that fans may not have to wait much longer to witness the showdown. The implications are significant—not only for the fighters’ legacies but also for the future of boxing promotion, which may increasingly involve new players like Zuffa Boxing and TKO challenging the established order.\n\nAs the negotiations continue, the boxing community watches closely, hoping that the long‑awaited Fury‑Joshua fight will finally materialize and deliver the high‑octane spectacle that fans have been demanding for years.