Dana White, the founder of the UFC and the head of the newly formed Zuffa Boxing, recently told Sky Sports that he personally arranged the location for the highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. According to White, his company TKO— which now oversees the UFC, WWE and Zuffa Boxing—handled every aspect of the deal, from the television rights to the venue contract. \n\n"We were the ones who negotiated every piece of the puzzle for this fight," White explained.
"I closed the venue agreement, which is why I know exactly where it will be held. Our team at TKO secured the broadcast package and took care of all the logistics." \n\nThe comments come amid ongoing speculation about whether the showdown will happen on British soil or cross the Atlantic to the United States.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has repeatedly argued that the fight belongs in the UK, saying, "I feel strongly that this should be a British event and we’ll do everything we can to make that happen." White, however, cut through the debate with a blunt observation: "In the end, you go where the money is." \n\nThe rivalry between Fury and Joshua has been simmering for nearly ten years, with fans and pundits alike dreaming of a clash between two of the sport’s most marketable heavyweights. Yet, despite countless negotiations, a definitive contract has remained elusive.
White’s admission that he has already locked down the venue suggests that the final piece of the puzzle may finally be falling into place. \n\nWhen asked about the chaotic nature of the negotiations, White didn’t mince words. "It’s been a mess," he said, describing the process as "unbelievable" and "a complete disaster." He went on to criticize the boxing establishment, arguing that promoters’ egos often eclipse the interests of the sport and its fans.
\n\n"Boxing has been messed up for a long time," White asserted. "The Saudis are putting huge money on the table for this fight, but the real issue isn’t the cash; it’s the ego of the promoters. In my short six‑month experience in boxing, I’ve seen that the promoters care more about their own status than delivering the fights the audience wants." He added that many of the key figures in the sport, in his view, are "some of the weakest people I’ve ever encountered in the fight game," highlighting a perceived lack of vision and integrity among the top promoters.
\n\nSky Sports has reached out to both Matchroom Boxing, which promotes Joshua, and Queensberry Promotions, which handles Fury, for comment on White’s statements. Neither side has responded at the time of writing.
\n\nWhite’s relationship with the two fighters is not new. He previously hosted Fury at a UFC event held at the White House, and he has known both athletes since before he launched his own boxing venture. \n\n"I’ve always admired Anthony Joshua," White said, recalling the moment Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko. "He’s charismatic, good‑looking, and a great speaker—exactly the type of heavyweight champion boxing needs." He also praised Fury, noting the British fighter’s resilience after his loss to Deontay Wilder.
"Tyson bounced back like a zombie, got back on his feet and finished the fight. He’s a thrilling fighter to watch and one of the best in the game," White added.
\n\nThe potential fight, which would pit two of the sport’s most marketable heavyweights against each other, promises not only massive pay‑days for the combatants but also a significant boost in viewership for any broadcaster lucky enough to secure the rights. With TKO already having negotiated a television deal, the next steps will likely involve finalizing the contract terms with the fighters’ respective promoters and confirming the exact location—whether that ends up being a stadium in Las Vegas, a historic arena in London, or another venue capable of holding a global audience.
\n\nIn the meantime, boxing fans can look forward to other high‑profile events. Sky Sports is promoting an IBF middleweight title bout between Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha, set to take place in Dublin this Saturday. The network continues to offer streaming options without long‑term contracts, aiming to attract viewers who prefer flexible, contract‑free access to live boxing.
\n\nOverall, White’s revelations add a fresh layer of intrigue to the Fury‑Joshua saga. If his claim about securing the venue proves true, the heavyweight division could finally witness a showdown that has been teased for nearly a decade, delivering both the financial rewards and the sporting spectacle that fans have long demanded.