Dana White, the founder of the UFC and the new Zuffa Boxing promotion, recently told Sky Sports that he personally arranged the venue for the much‑anticipated heavyweight bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. According to White, his company TKO – which now owns the UFC, WWE and Zuffa Boxing – handled every aspect of the deal, from the arena contract to the television rights, and that is why he knows exactly where the fight will be staged. White emphasized that the location will ultimately be driven by financial considerations. "At the end of the day, the truth is you go where the money is," he said, echoing a common refrain in combat sports.
This comment comes amid ongoing speculation about whether the showdown will be staged in the United Kingdom, where Joshua is based, or in the United States, where the market can potentially generate larger pay‑per‑view numbers. Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua’s Matchroom Boxing, has been vocal about his desire to keep the fight on British soil. "I really feel strongly that this is something that should happen in the UK and we’ll do everything we can to make that happen," Hearn declared in a recent interview.
White, however, reminded fans that the ultimate decision rests on which venue can deliver the greatest financial return for all parties involved. The rivalry between Fury and Joshua has simmered for nearly ten years. Both fighters have dominated the heavyweight division at different times, but a head‑to‑head clash has remained elusive. The two have exchanged barbs, and promoters on both sides have floated various dates and locations, but nothing has solidified into a concrete agreement—until now, according to White.
White described the negotiations as a "mess" and lamented the chaos that has plagued the boxing world for years. He pointed to the influence of promoter egos, saying, "In my short time in boxing – just six months – I’ve seen that promoters’ egos often outweigh the fans’ desire for great fights. The sport has been messed up for a long time because the focus isn’t always on delivering the best match‑ups." He added that the Saudis are heavily financing the event, which adds another layer of financial incentive for the fighters and their teams. "It’s all about ego with the promoters," White continued.
"These guys are some of the weakest people I’ve ever encountered in the fight game. It’s fascinating how the personal ambitions of a few can stall a fight that fans have been waiting for a decade." His blunt assessment underscores the frustration many fans feel when big‑ticket fights stall due to behind‑the‑scenes politics. White also reflected on his personal connections with both heavyweight champions.
He recalled first meeting Anthony Joshua after the British fighter defeated Wladimir Klitschko, noting, "Joshua was the kind of charismatic, good‑looking heavyweight champion the sport needed. I’ve always liked him.” His relationship with Fury, meanwhile, began when the latter was seeking fights after a period of inactivity.
White said, "Tyson was stagnant and trying to get fights, even talking trash about UFC fighters to get a payday. That was when I met him, and I’ve always liked his tenacity.
When Deontay Wilder knocked him down, he got back up like a zombie and finished the fight. He’s a fun guy to watch and one of the best ever." The announcement that White’s company secured the venue has sparked renewed interest in the fight’s logistics. While the exact arena has not been disclosed, the implication is that a major U.S. venue – possibly in Las Vegas or New York – could be on the table, given the promise of larger broadcast deals and sponsorships.
Nonetheless, White’s comment that "you go where the money is" leaves open the possibility that a lucrative deal in the UK could still sway the final decision. In addition to the Fury‑Joshua saga, Sky Sports highlighted other upcoming boxing events, such as the IBF middleweight title bout between Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha in Dublin. The network continues to promote its streaming service, offering contract‑free access to major fights for viewers who prefer to watch on browsers like Chrome. Overall, White’s revelations provide a rare glimpse into the business side of boxing, where venue contracts, television rights, and sponsor money intersect with the athletes’ ambitions.
Whether the fight ultimately lands in a historic British arena or a glittering American casino, the consensus among insiders is clear: the fight will happen when the financial equation aligns, and Dana White claims his team has already set that equation in motion.