The dispute between Eddie Hearn and Dana White has intensified as questions continue to surround the proposed heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. The latest disagreement centers on promotional rights, contract negotiations and the possibility of staging the long-awaited bout in New York.
Hearn Disputes White’s Role in Fury-Joshua Fight
White and Hearn have traded public criticism throughout 2026 as their business interests increasingly overlap.
White has expanded into boxing promotion through Zuffa Boxing, including signing fighters previously associated with Hearn. Meanwhile, Hearn has moved into managing several prominent mixed martial arts athletes. The two promoters even briefly discussed facing each other in a boxing match.
Their most significant dispute, however, involves Fury and Joshua. The British heavyweight stars are expected to meet before the end of the year, although the date, venue and promotional structure have not been formally announced.
White previously claimed he would promote the fight. Hearn challenged that assertion after reports circulated Tuesday suggesting an announcement was imminent for a November event at Madison Square Garden.
“Actually, I should be suing Dana White, because what he’s doing is, he’s actually purporting to have the ability to stage the fight there, and he’s using my client to do a venue deal that he has no rights to,” Hearn told About Boxing. …“The reality is, now, TKO are coming on, asking me if they can be involved. So Dana White’s gone from being the promoter of the event to asking if he can be involved. And rather than going, ‘Fuck off!’ I’m saying, why? Why should I let you be involved in this event? Break it down for me. Tell me how it benefits Anthony Joshua. Tell me how it benefits Matchroom. Tell me how it benefits my fighters. What do you want to do? Do you want to do Matchroom vs. Zuffa 5 v. 5 on the undercard? OK, if it gives my fighters an opportunity.
“It’s like I said to them, ‘I’ll tell you what, let me promote WrestleMania.’ Because this is my WrestleMania. And absolutely not, unless you can give me reasons why. … Why? Why should we? Business is business. And if it makes sense for AJ, and maybe Matchroom, and some of our fighters, I’m up for a chat. And listen, we may get there.”
Contract Changes and New York Venue Remain Key Issues
White has expressed frustration over delays in confirming the fight but has declined to provide details about the negotiations.
Hearn said Joshua’s side had already signed an agreement. According to the Matchroom chairman, the current discussions involve proposed contract changes and pressure to hold the bout in the United States.
“To be honest, all I can really tell you is we’ve signed for the fight,” Hearn said. “Obviously, they want to change the contract that we signed, which we don’t like to do. It’s not something that we do as a company. But we also understand that these guys are our partners, and it seems like everybody is adamant that the fight takes place in New York. …
“Tyson Fury has agreed to do the fight in America, and we haven’t at the moment. So, we’re talking through a roadmap of what that might look like to change the deal. And if they do all the things that we’ve discussed and agreed in principle, then I think there is a very good chance that the fight will happen in America.”
Madison Square Garden Rumors Remain Unconfirmed
Madison Square Garden would provide one of boxing’s most recognizable stages, but neither the venue nor a November date has been officially confirmed.
Hearn’s comments suggest an American location remains possible if the revised terms satisfy Joshua, Matchroom and the fighters represented by the company.
Dana White Dismisses Hearn’s Comments
White addressed the dispute following Tuesday night’s edition of “Dana White’s Contender Series.” He initially avoided directly answering a question about the Madison Square Garden rumor before dismissing Hearn’s latest statements.
“I have not. I stopped listening to Eddie Hearn about three months ago,” White said. “Is there anybody more full of shit than this guy? Come on. Completely full of shit.”
The exchange underscores the unresolved promotional and contractual issues surrounding Fury-Joshua. Although both fighters appear to remain on course for the anticipated heavyweight showdown, the location, date and involvement of White, TKO and Matchroom must still be settled before the fight can be formally announced.