Tyson Fury has publicly warned that his highly anticipated showdown with fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua could be in jeopardy after Joshua’s camp reportedly demanded a larger purse. The two champions have been negotiating a November showdown, with Madison Square Garden in New York frequently mentioned as the preferred venue, but Fury hinted in a recent social‑media video that the fight might fall apart because of the financial ask.
According to Sky Sports, Joshua has already signed a preliminary contract for the encounter, and Matchroom Boxing continues to work toward a formal announcement. However, Fury’s comments suggested that the agreement could unravel if Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, persists in seeking additional money.
"Quick update for you. 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 [Joshua’s promoter] Eddie Hearn wants more money," Fury said in the clip. Fury went on to criticize the financial expectations, pointing out that Joshua’s team has already benefited from a series of lucrative deals in recent years. "They have already taken a lot of money from Turki Al‑Alshikh over the last few years – boxing deals, darts deals, snooker deals, you name it.
Yet they have the audacity to ask for even more from the same source," Fury complained, adding a colorful insult that likened the request to "the cheek of flea‑bitten rats." The potential clash has been a topic of intense speculation across the boxing world. Fans have been eager to see two of the sport’s biggest names finally meet in the ring, especially after their previous negotiations in 2021 fell apart when a U.S.
judge ordered Fury to fulfill a contractual obligation to fight Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout. That legal hurdle delayed any progress on a Joshua‑Fury showdown for several years.
Eddie Hearn, who heads Matchroom Boxing, has confirmed that the original contract stipulated the fight would take place in the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, the idea of staging the event at MSG has resurfaced, partly because of interest from Saudi investors and the broader Ring Magazine community, which sees a New York venue as a way to maximise global exposure and revenue. Matchroom Boxing chief executive Frank Smith told Sky Sports that the current week is "critical" for negotiations but remained optimistic. "It would be disappointing if the fight isn’t in the UK, but if it means we get to see the bout, we all want it to happen," Smith said.
He added that the terms they signed initially called for a UK location, but they are now entertaining the possibility of MSG as a venue, pending the outcome of ongoing talks with the Saudi delegation and other stakeholders. Smith also emphasized the importance of a tight timeline. "If we want a November fight, we need to lock everything down in the next seven to ten days so the fighters can start a proper eight‑to‑ten‑week training camp, free from promotional obligations," he explained.
This window is crucial for both athletes to prepare adequately, especially given the high stakes and the physical demands of a heavyweight showdown. Meanwhile, Fury’s manager Spencer Brown expressed growing concern over the delay in finalising the bout. "Everyone’s got a bit of doubt in their mind," Brown told Sky Sports. "If you had asked me a week ago, I would have said no, but now it’s becoming increasingly worrying that things haven’t moved forward.
We need to get this fight on the calendar." The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already packed with marquee events, and a Joshua‑Fury clash would be a headline attraction that could reshape the heavyweight division. Both fighters have built massive fan bases and command significant pay‑per‑view numbers, making the financial aspect of the deal a central point of contention. While Joshua’s camp argues that his marketability and recent performances justify a higher share of the purse, Fury’s camp counters that the existing agreements with Saudi patron Turki Al‑Alshikh already provide substantial compensation. If the negotiations break down, the fallout could be significant.
A cancelled fight would not only disappoint fans but also affect the promotional schedules of both Matchroom Boxing and the rival promoters involved. It could also open the door for alternative match‑ups, such as Fury potentially returning to a third bout with Deontay Wilder or seeking another high‑profile opponent, while Joshua might look to defend his titles against other top contenders. In the meantime, the boxing community continues to monitor the situation closely.
Social media platforms are buzzing with speculation, and pundits are debating the merits of a UK versus a U.S. venue, the appropriate purse split, and the impact of external investors on the sport’s traditional structures. As the negotiation deadline approaches, both camps are under pressure to either reach a compromise or walk away, leaving fans to wonder whether the long‑awaited clash will finally materialise or become another missed opportunity in heavyweight history.