Eddie Hearn has made it clear that the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is locked in, and no party can simply walk away from the agreement. The promoter, who also manages Joshua, emphasized that the contract has already been signed and the only remaining step is to set a date for the bout. Last Friday, Fury publicly expressed doubts about the fight proceeding, suggesting that Joshua had demanded additional money and accusing the British champion and his camp of being "cowards" for allegedly trying to renegotiate terms. Fury’s comments were accompanied by a series of angry shouts and vocal outbursts that quickly made headlines.
In response, Hearn stepped in to calm the situation. Speaking to DAZN, he said, "We've signed the contract, we're waiting for a date.
You saw Tyson Fury shouting and screaming – there’s nothing to shout and scream about, the fight’s done. The fight’s signed.
No‑one can pull out of the fight. You can’t just pull out of a contract." He added that the only way the bout could be cancelled would be if either side breached the legally binding agreement that has already been executed.
According to Hearn, there is no indication that the fight is in jeopardy. "There’s no suggestion that the fight’s not happening.
No‑one can stop this fight from happening. The only way it can stop from happening is if they actually breach the contract," he reiterated. The two heavyweights have been in discussions about staging the event in November, with the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York being floated as a likely venue. This would mark a rare all‑British heavyweight clash taking place on American soil, a scenario that has generated considerable excitement among fans and analysts alike.
In recent weeks, boxing fans have been bombarded with promotional material, podcasts, and highlight reels, all pointing toward a potential historic night. The sport’s calendar for 2026 is already packed with marquee match‑ups, and a Fury‑Joshua bout would sit at the very top of that list. Hearn also addressed rumors that the original contract stipulated the fight be held in the United Kingdom.
While the paperwork did indeed specify a UK location, the Saudi‑backed promotion company Sela has been pushing for a shift to the United States, hoping to capitalize on the massive American market and the prestige of a New York venue. "We know everybody and his dog involved in the fight wants to do the fight in America. We don’t," Hearn said, acknowledging the pressure from Sela while also defending his own stance. He continued, "We’ve told Sela and the team if you want to do it in America, these are the terms that we can move forward with.
But we’d rather not, please." This diplomatic phrasing suggests that while the promoters are open to negotiation, they are not willing to compromise the core elements of the agreement that protect Joshua’s interests and the financial structure of the deal. The background to this saga stretches back to 2021, when the two fighters first attempted to lock in a bout. Negotiations stalled after a U.S. judge ruled that Fury was obligated to fulfill a contractual rematch with Deontay Wilder, effectively putting a temporary halt on any plans for a Fury‑Joshua clash.
That legal ruling forced both camps to put the fight on hold, and the heavyweight division has since seen a series of other high‑profile contests that kept fans waiting for this particular showdown. Since then, both fighters have continued to dominate their respective opponents, adding more titles and accolades to their resumes. Fury, known for his unorthodox style and charismatic personality, has maintained his status as a top‑tier champion, while Joshua has worked to rebuild his standing after a series of challenging fights. Their parallel trajectories have only heightened the anticipation for a direct encounter, making the stakes higher than ever.
If the bout does go ahead in November as planned, it will likely be a massive revenue generator, drawing pay‑per‑view audiences from both sides of the Atlantic. The financial implications are significant: ticket sales for a venue like Madison Square Garden could reach into the millions, while global broadcast rights would bring in additional billions. Moreover, the fight would serve as a cultural moment, pitting two of Britain’s most prominent athletes against each other on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Beyond the monetary aspects, the fight carries symbolic weight. It would be a clash of styles—Fury’s lanky, elusive movement versus Joshua’s power‑driven, aggressive approach.
Analysts have long debated who would have the tactical advantage, with some pointing to Fury’s ability to switch stances and his superior reach, while others highlight Joshua’s relentless pressure and knockout power. The narrative of a British rivalry abroad adds another layer of intrigue, promising a storyline that transcends the ropes. In summary, Eddie Hearn’s message is unequivocal: the contract is signed, the date is pending, and no one can simply back out.
While Fury’s recent outburst has stirred speculation, the legal framework and the promoter’s firm stance suggest that the fight is still on track. Fans should prepare for a possible November showdown in New York, unless an unforeseen breach of contract occurs—a scenario that appears increasingly unlikely given the concerted effort from both camps to see the bout materialize.