Eddie Hearn has made it clear that the much‑anticipated heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is locked in, and no party can simply walk away. The promoter, who manages Joshua, dismissed recent claims that the bout might collapse after Fury publicly complained that Joshua’s camp was demanding a larger purse and labeled them "cowards" for their stance. According to Hearn, the agreement between the two fighters is already signed, and the only missing piece is a confirmed date. "We've got the contract in place and we're just waiting on the calendar," he told DAZN.
"You saw Fury shouting and screaming – there’s nothing to be alarmed about. The fight is a done deal." He emphasized that contractual obligations cannot be ignored: "No one can pull out of a contract once it’s been signed. The only way this could fall apart is if one side actually breaches the terms." The two British heavyweights have been negotiating a November date for what would be an all‑British clash, with the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York being floated as a likely venue. Hearn noted that the original paperwork called for the bout to be staged in the United Kingdom, but Saudi‑backed promoters Sela have been pushing for a U.S.
location. "Everyone involved wants to see the fight in America, but we’re not convinced that’s the best route," Hearn said. "We’ve told Sela and their team that if they want to move it to the U.S., they have to meet certain conditions, but our preference is to keep it in the UK." The tension between the two camps dates back to 2021, when negotiations fell through after a U.S.
judge mandated that Fury first fulfill a trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder. That legal hurdle delayed any immediate plans for a Joshua‑Fury encounter, but both fighters have since expressed a desire to finally settle the rivalry in the ring. Fury’s recent outburst on Friday, in which he accused Joshua’s team of demanding "more money" and called them "cowards," seemed to suggest the fight was in jeopardy. However, Hearn’s remarks indicate that the promoter believes the dispute is merely a negotiation over financial terms, not a fundamental breakdown in the agreement.
"We’ve signed the contract, we’re just ironing out the final details," Hearn reiterated. "There’s no suggestion that the fight isn’t happening. The only thing that could stop it is a breach of the contract, and we have no intention of that happening." The promotional landscape for heavyweight boxing in 2026 is shaping up to be busy, with several high‑profile match‑ups on the horizon.
Fans can look forward to a packed calendar that includes not only the Fury‑Joshua clash but also other marquee events that will be streamed on platforms like NOW and featured on podcasts such as Toe2Toe. The sport’s governing bodies and broadcasters are working to make the upcoming fights more accessible, with recommendations to use Chrome for an optimal viewing experience. In summary, while Fury’s vocal frustrations have created headlines, the contractual framework behind the fight remains solid. Eddie Hearn’s confidence underscores that both fighters are still bound by the terms they agreed to, and unless one side chooses to violate those terms, the showdown is set to proceed.
The ongoing dialogue with Sela about a potential U.S. venue adds another layer of negotiation, but the promoter’s preference for a UK setting suggests that the traditional home‑ground atmosphere may still be the final destination. As the date draws nearer, fans can expect further updates on the exact timing and location, but the core message is clear: the Fury‑Joshua fight is on track, and no one can simply back out once the contract is signed.