Tyson Fury has publicly warned that the highly anticipated showdown with fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua could be in serious jeopardy after the champion from London allegedly demanded a larger payday. The two fighters have been in ongoing negotiations to lock in a bout that many fans have been waiting for, with the tentative date set for November and New York's Madison Square Garden being floated as the likely venue. In a recent video posted to social media, Fury suggested that the fight might collapse because Joshua's camp is asking for a significantly higher purse than originally agreed. He implied that the financial dispute could be the decisive factor that prevents the match from materialising.
According to Sky Sports, Joshua has already signed a contract for the fight, and Matchroom Boxing is still working on a formal announcement. However, Fury’s comments hint that the paperwork may not be enough to guarantee the event will go ahead.
"Quick update for you. It doesn't look like they're going to sign the fight and it doesn't look like it is going to happen all because [Joshua's promoter] Eddie Hearn and they want more money," Fury said in the clip. "They have already taken a lot of money from Turki (Alalshikh) over the last few years – Eddie and AJ have boxing deals, darts deals, snooker deals, everything.
And yet they have the audacity and cheek of flea‑bitten rats to ask for more money from old Turki that you have had combined over the last couple of years." Fury’s colourful language continued, ending with a taunt: "Keep on running, you cowards." The remark underscores the frustration he feels about the ongoing stalemate. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has clarified that the original contract stipulated the fight would take place in the United Kingdom.
This detail adds another layer of complexity, as discussions about moving the event to Madison Square Garden have become a focal point of the negotiation. Matchroom Boxing chief executive Frank Smith told Sky Sports earlier in the week that the current period is a "critical week" for the talks, but he remained hopeful that an agreement could be reached. "It would be disappointing if it didn’t happen in the UK, but at the same time, if it means we get to see the fight, we all want it to happen," Smith said. "We’re following the terms of what we signed up to right now, which is a fight in the UK.
Those were the terms when the fight was announced in March and April." Smith added that the conversations now revolve around possible venues, mentioning Madison Square Garden as a proposed location, as well as the involvement of the Ring Magazine and a Saudi delegation. "I think November is possible, later in November is possible, but in the next seven to ten days a lot of progress has to be made in order to get the fighters into camp and give them an eight‑to‑10‑week preparation period away from promotional obligations," he explained.
The background to this latest impasse dates back to 2021, when the two fighters initially failed to reach an agreement. Those early talks collapsed after a U.S.
judge ordered Fury to fulfill a contractual obligation to fight Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout, temporarily sidelining any plans for a Joshua‑Fury clash. Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, expressed his concerns to Sky Sports about the continued delay in finalising the fight. "Everyone’s got a bit of doubt in their mind," he 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 stakes for both fighters are enormous.
A victory for Fury would cement his claim as the undisputed heavyweight king, while a win for Joshua could restore his standing after recent setbacks. Financially, the bout is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in pay‑per‑view revenue, gate receipts, and ancillary sponsorship deals, making the purse negotiations a critical component of the overall deal. Industry insiders note that the involvement of Saudi billionaire Turki Al‑Alshikh, who has been a major backer of boxing events in the region, adds another strategic dimension.
Al‑Alshikh’s investment has helped fund high‑profile fights in recent years, and both promoters have benefited from his financial support. However, the repeated requests for additional funds have raised eyebrows, especially given the already substantial sums that have been allocated to previous events.
If the fight does ultimately move to New York, it would mark a significant shift from the original UK‑centric plan and could open up new market opportunities for both fighters, tapping into the massive American boxing audience. Conversely, keeping the bout in the UK would satisfy the expectations of the domestic fan base and honor the original contractual commitments.
As the negotiation window narrows, both camps are under pressure to resolve the financial and logistical issues quickly. The next few days will likely see intense back‑and‑forth between Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith, Tyson Fury’s team, and the representatives of Turki Al‑Alshikh.
Should they reach a consensus, fans can look forward to a historic heavyweight showdown later this year. If not, the fight may be postponed indefinitely, leaving a void in the heavyweight calendar and prompting both fighters to pursue alternative opponents. Regardless of the outcome, the saga highlights the complex interplay of sport, business, and egos that defines modern heavyweight boxing.
The world will be watching closely as the two titans either step into the ring or continue to circle each other from opposite corners of the negotiation table.