Tyson Fury has warned that his much‑anticipated showdown with fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua could fall apart because the challenger is demanding a larger payday. The two champions have been in negotiations for a bout that many fans hope will take place in November, with New York’s Madison Square Garden being floated as a possible venue. However, Fury posted a video on social media suggesting that Joshua’s camp, led by promoter Eddie Hearn, is now asking for a significantly higher purse, a request that could jeopardise the entire deal. In the clip, Fury explained that the negotiations have hit a snag and that the fight might not happen if the financial terms cannot be agreed upon.
He claimed that Joshua’s team has already benefited from a series of lucrative contracts with Saudi billionaire Turki Al‑Alshikh over the past few years, covering boxing, darts, snooker and other events. Despite those earnings, Fury accused them of “the audacity and cheek of flea‑bitten rats” for demanding even more money from the same patron. He concluded the video with a harsh remark, telling the promoters to "keep on running, you cowards." Sky Sports reports that Joshua has already signed a preliminary contract for the fight, and Matchroom Boxing continues to work toward a formal announcement.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has confirmed that the original agreement stipulated the bout would be staged in the United Kingdom. Yet, the conversation about a possible move to Madison Square Garden in the United States has intensified, especially after the Saudi delegation expressed interest in hosting the event at the iconic arena. Frank Smith, the chief executive of Matchroom Boxing, told Sky Sports that the current week is "critical" for the negotiations but remained optimistic. He said that while it would be disappointing if the fight were relocated from the UK, the primary goal is to see the two heavyweights finally meet in the ring.
Smith reiterated that the terms they signed initially called for a UK venue, but he acknowledged that discussions about MSG are ongoing, along with potential involvement from The Ring Magazine and Saudi officials. He added that a November date is still feasible, but a great deal of progress must be made in the next seven to ten days to allow both fighters enough time to enter a proper training camp – ideally an eight‑ to ten‑week period free from promotional obligations. The background to this standoff stretches back to 2021, when Fury and Joshua first attempted to lock in a fight. Those talks collapsed after a U.S.
judge ordered Fury to fulfill his contractual obligation to fight Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout, forcing the heavyweight champion to prioritize that showdown. Since then, the prospect of a Fury‑Joshua clash has remained a tantalising dream for boxing fans worldwide. Adding to the tension, Fury’s manager Spencer Brown expressed unease about the lingering delay in confirming the fight.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Brown said that the prolonged uncertainty is causing doubt among all parties involved. He admitted that a week ago he would have been confident the bout would happen, but recent developments have made him concerned that progress has stalled. "Everybody’s got a bit of doubt in their mind," Brown said. "There are reasons you could think that.
If you’d asked me a week ago, I’d have said no, but now it’s a little bit concerning that things haven’t progressed down the line. We need to get this fight on." The financial aspect of the dispute is central to the impasse.
Joshua’s camp argues that the fighter’s marketability and recent successes warrant a higher share of the purse, especially if the fight is moved to a venue like MSG that could generate a larger global audience and higher gate receipts. Conversely, Fury’s team points out that the champion already commands a massive payday for his fights, and that the additional demands seem unreasonable given the existing financial relationship with Al‑Alshikh. If the fight does proceed in the United Kingdom as originally planned, it would likely be held at a major venue such as Wembley Stadium or the O2 Arena, both of which have hosted historic boxing events.
A UK location would also satisfy the contractual obligations already signed by both fighters. However, a US location could open up new revenue streams, including a larger pay‑per‑view market and sponsorship opportunities that are more lucrative in the American market. The next steps for the two camps involve intensive negotiations over the purse split, venue selection, and the timing of the fight camp. Both sides need to reach a consensus quickly so that the fighters can begin a focused training period without the distraction of ongoing contract talks.
If an agreement is reached within the next week or so, a November date remains realistic, allowing for a full eight‑ to ten‑week preparation window. In summary, the Fury‑Joshua showdown hangs in the balance as financial disagreements threaten to derail months of planning. While the British heavyweight champion has publicly criticised Joshua’s demand for more money, the promoters on both sides are still working behind the scenes to find a compromise that satisfies the fighters, their backers, and the fans who have been waiting for this clash of titans for years. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether the fight finally materialises in November, and whether it will take place in the UK, the US, or perhaps even a neutral location backed by Saudi investment.
The boxing world watches closely, hoping that the two giants can set aside their differences and deliver the blockbuster bout that has been promised for far too long.