Joshua vows to cancel $100M Fury bout to spite Dana White

Key points

• Joshua told talkSPORT Boxing that he would 'pull the plug' on the fight if Hearn decides to cancel it, prioritizing his alliance with the promoter over the $100 million payout.
• Joshua cited interference from Dana White, including 'corporate level' messages and attempts to move the venue to Madison Square Garden, as the reason for his hardline stance.
• The fight is officially scheduled for December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, a location Joshua fought to secure to bring respect to British boxing.
• Fury dismissed the Joshua bout as a 'tune-up' and expressed interest in a future trilogy with Oleksandr Usyk at Madison Square Garden.
• The launch event in London saw the two fighters trade jokes and display a relaxed demeanor, despite the recent contractual tensions.

Background

The Fury-Joshua bout has been a long-standing fixture in boxing, with negotiations stalled for over a decade. Recent weeks saw a dispute between Hearn and White over promotional rights and venue location. Hearn declared victory after White failed to attend the official launch, confirming the UK venue. Joshua's latest comments solidify his support for Hearn against White's influence.

How outlets are covering it

MMA Mania highlights Joshua's willingness to forfeit $100 million to spite Dana White, framing it as a loyalty test for Hearn. BBC Sport focuses on the relaxed atmosphere at the launch, noting that the fighters traded jokes and that the contractual uncertainty had seemingly eased. Bad Left Hook shifts the focus to Fury's future ambitions, noting his desire to fight Usyk at Madison Square Garden and his dismissal of Joshua as a 'tune-up.'

Why it matters

The potential cancellation of a $100 million Netflix event due to promoter disputes highlights the fragility of major boxing deals. Joshua's stance signals that personal alliances and regional pride may outweigh financial incentives, potentially setting a precedent for how fighters and promoters handle interference from external entities like the UFC.

What to watch

The fight is currently scheduled for December 11 in Cardiff. The outcome will depend on whether Hearn and Joshua maintain their stance against White's interference. Fury has indicated he will move on to a Usyk trilogy after the Joshua bout.