Tyson Fury has publicly warned that his highly anticipated showdown with fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua could fall apart because Joshua’s camp is demanding a larger payday. The two fighters have been in negotiations to lock in a November clash, with New York’s Madison Square Garden emerging as a likely venue, but Fury’s recent video on social media suggested that financial disagreements might derail the whole project. In the clip, Fury explained that the negotiations have hit a snag after Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, allegedly asked for additional money from the Saudi patron Turki Al‑Alshikh, who has been financing many high‑profile combat‑sport events in recent years.
Fury accused Hearn and his team of “having the audacity of flea‑bitten rats” for wanting more cash after already receiving substantial sums for boxing, darts, and snooker deals. He warned that if the extra money isn’t forthcoming, the fight could be scrapped, adding a blunt "keep on running you cowards" as a parting jab. Sky Sports reports that Joshua has already signed a contract for the bout, and Matchroom Boxing is still working toward an official announcement.
However, the exact terms of that contract appear to be under dispute. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has clarified that the original agreement stipulated the fight would take place in the United Kingdom, not overseas.
This detail has added another layer of complexity, as Fury’s camp has been exploring the possibility of staging the event at MSG, a move that would require a renegotiation of the location clause. Frank Smith, the chief executive of Matchroom Boxing, told Sky Sports that the week was "critical" for finalising the deal but remained optimistic. He said that while a UK venue would be the preferred outcome, the priority is simply to see the fight happen, regardless of location. Smith outlined a potential timeline: if the parties can reach an agreement within the next seven to ten days, the fighters could begin a proper training camp, giving them an eight‑to‑ten‑week window to prepare without the distraction of promotional duties.
He suggested that a later November date remains feasible, provided the negotiations move swiftly. The background to this latest standoff dates back to 2021, when Fury and Joshua were unable to settle on terms and the fight fell through after a U.S. judge ordered Fury to fulfill his contractual obligation to fight Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout. That legal hurdle postponed any further talks between Fury and Joshua for several years.
Now, with Wilder retired and the heavyweight landscape reshaped, both camps see a clash as a lucrative pay‑per‑view event that could generate billions in revenue. Adding to the tension, Fury’s manager Spencer Brown expressed concern over the prolonged silence surrounding the fight’s official confirmation. Speaking to Sky Sports, Brown admitted that many fans and insiders are beginning to doubt whether the match will ever materialise. He said, "Everyone’s got a bit of doubt in their mind.
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 is a major sticking point. Turki Al‑Alshikh, the Saudi billionaire who has been instrumental in funding major sporting events, has already contributed significant sums to previous boxing deals, including the highly publicised bout between Fury and Tyson Fury’s own rival, Deontay Wilder.
Hearn’s request for additional money is seen by Fury’s camp as an attempt to extract more from a patron who has already invested heavily in the sport. Fury’s remarks imply that he believes the current offer is fair and that any further demands are unreasonable. From a broader perspective, the potential fight carries massive implications for the heavyweight division.
A Fury‑Joshua showdown would be the first major clash between two British champions since the legendary Lennox Lewis vs. Oliver McCall era, and it would likely dominate the global boxing calendar. The fight would also serve as a litmus test for the viability of hosting marquee events in the United States versus the United Kingdom, a debate that has intensified as promoters seek to maximise gate receipts and broadcast revenue. If the fight does proceed at Madison Square Garden, it would mark a historic moment for British boxing on American soil, echoing the 2015 Mayweather‑Pound‑MMA crossover that drew unprecedented viewership.
Conversely, a UK venue would maintain the tradition of British heavyweights fighting in front of a home crowd, potentially boosting ticket sales and local fan engagement. In summary, the current impasse revolves around three core issues: the location of the bout, the size of Joshua’s purse demand, and the timeline for finalising the contract. While Fury’s public statements have added pressure on Hearn and his team, both sides appear keen to avoid a complete collapse, recognizing the enormous financial and sporting stakes involved. The next few days will be crucial; a swift resolution could see the fight officially announced, training camps opened, and the heavyweight world preparing for what promises to be a blockbuster encounter.
If negotiations stall, however, fans may have to wait longer for the long‑awaited clash, and the heavyweight division could shift focus to other emerging matchups.