Tyson Fury has warned that his much‑anticipated showdown with fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua could fall apart after the challenger’s camp demanded a larger payday. The two fighters have been in negotiations for a November clash, with New York’s Madison Square Garden emerging as a possible venue, but Fury’s recent social‑media video suggested that Joshua’s request for additional funds might derail the deal. In the video, Fury explained that the negotiations are hitting a snag because Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, is pressing for a higher purse from the Saudi patron Turki Al‑Alshikh, who has been financing a number of combat‑sport events in recent years. Fury accused Hearn and his team of “having the audacity of flea‑bitten rats” for asking for more money from a sponsor that has already contributed heavily to boxing, darts and snooker projects.
He concluded his remarks with a scathing taunt, telling the opposition to "keep on running, you cowards." Sky Sports reports that Joshua has already signed a contract for the bout, and Matchroom Boxing is still working toward a public announcement. However, Fury’s comments raise doubts about whether the agreement will hold.
According to the former heavyweight champion, the problem lies not in the fighters themselves but in the financial expectations of Joshua’s management. "It doesn’t look like they are going to sign the fight and it doesn’t look like it is going to happen all because Eddie Hearn wants more money," Fury said. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has countered that the original contract stipulated the fight would take place in the United Kingdom.
Matchroom Boxing chief executive Frank Smith told Sky Sports that the current week was "critical" for the talks but remained hopeful that a resolution could be reached. "It would be disappointing if it isn’t in the UK, but if it means we get to see the fight, we all want it to happen," Smith said.
He added that while MSG is being considered as a possible venue, the terms of the original agreement still call for a UK location, and the parties are reviewing all options, including a Saudi delegation’s involvement. Smith emphasized the tight timeline.
"November is still possible, maybe later in the month, but we need to make a lot of progress in the next seven to ten days so the fighters can get into camp and have an eight‑to‑10‑week training period away from promotional duties," he explained. This window is crucial for both fighters to prepare properly and for the logistics of a high‑profile event to be sorted out. The background to this standoff goes back to 2021, when the two heavyweights first tried to lock in a fight but the talks collapsed after a U.S. judge ordered Fury to fulfill his contractual obligation to face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout.
That legal hurdle pushed the potential Joshua‑Fury clash further into the future and left fans waiting for a resolution. Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, expressed unease about the continued delays. "Everyone’s got a bit of doubt in their mind," he told Sky Sports.
"If you had asked me a week ago, I would have said no, but now it’s a little bit concerning that things haven’t progressed. We need to get this fight on." The stakes for both fighters are enormous. A Joshua‑Fury showdown would be the biggest heavyweight event in years, likely generating massive pay‑per‑view numbers and significant gate receipts. For the Saudi patron Turki Al‑Alshikh, who has been investing heavily in global sports to raise his country's profile, the bout represents a marquee opportunity to showcase his involvement in elite boxing.
However, the financial demands from both sides have created a delicate balancing act. If the fight does go ahead in New York, it would mark a departure from the original UK‑centric plan and could open the door for a broader international audience, especially given the venue’s storied history with boxing legends. Conversely, holding the match in the UK would satisfy the contractual obligations and likely please the British fan base, but it might limit the global reach that a New York setting could provide.
Both camps are reportedly still in talks with the Saudi delegation, which has been instrumental in funding recent high‑profile fights, including the recent heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. The delegation’s willingness to increase the purse could tip the scales, but it also raises questions about the sustainability of relying on a single patron for large‑scale events. In the meantime, fans are left speculating.
The boxing community has taken to social media to voice both optimism and frustration, with many hoping that a compromise can be reached before the window for a November fight closes. If the negotiations fail, the heavyweight division could remain fragmented, leaving other contenders to fill the void.
Ultimately, the outcome will hinge on whether Eddie Hearn and his team are prepared to accept the current financial terms or whether Turki Al‑Alshikh will increase his contribution to meet the new demands. Fury’s blunt comments have added pressure to the situation, signalling that he is not willing to wait indefinitely for a resolution. Regardless of the final decision, the potential clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua remains one of the most talked‑about events in modern boxing, and its resolution will shape the heavyweight landscape for years to come.