Hearn threatens to call Joshua vs Fury off

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has issued a stark warning: the highly anticipated grudge match between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could be called off if organizers proceed with announcing the fight for New York without first agreeing to stage it in the United Kingdom. This ultimatum comes amid reports that contracts have been signed, but no official announcement has been made.

Hearn, speaking on The Punch Podcast, reiterated his and Joshua's commitment to holding the bout in the UK, as stipulated in their agreement. He acknowledged significant pressure from organizers and Netflix, who are keen on a US venue, particularly Madison Square Garden in November. However, Hearn disagrees with the commercial arguments presented by the American broadcaster.

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Everybody wants to do the fight in New York apart from Anthony Joshua and me. We are under a huge amount of pressure, and we are being told by Turki Al-Alshikh and those guys that Netflix, in particular, really want to do the fight in the US.

"Everybody wants to do the fight in New York apart from Anthony Joshua and me," Hearn stated. "We are under a huge amount of pressure, and we are being told by Turki Al-Alshikh and those guys that Netflix, in particular, really want to do the fight in the US."

Hearn emphasized that while he understands the financial interests involved, the final decision on the venue should not be made unilaterally. He warned that if organizers announce New York as the venue without a prior agreement to change the location, the fight will be canceled. "I promise you, if they announce that fight without an agreement in place to change the venue, there will be no fight, and we are not bluffing. We feel really strongly that this fight should be in the UK," he asserted. The promoter's strategy appears to be making a US venue financially unattractive to organizers, hoping to keep the fight in England.

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I promise you, if they announce that fight without an agreement in place to change the venue, there will be no fight, and we are not bluffing. We feel really strongly that this fight should be in the UK.