Anthony Joshua Turned Down $10 Million Offer to Let TKO Promote Fury Fight, Says Eddie Hearn
Joshua Refuses $10 Million to Allow TKO as Lead Promoter for Fury Fight
Anthony Joshua declined a roughly $10 million offer, beyond his fight purse, that would have let TKO Group—the parent company of UFC and WWE—handle promotion for his highly anticipated bout against Tyson Fury. The fight was set to take place in the United States, but Joshua insisted on sticking to the original contract terms: the event will be held in the UK without any involvement from TKO, according to Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, who shared these details on Uncrowned’s The Ariel Helwani Show.
Dispute Between Hearn and Dana White Over Promotional Rights
This rejected offer has stirred tension between Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White, who has pushed for a role in promoting the match. Hearn revealed that someone connected to TKO approached a member of Joshua’s team with a formal written proposal on their behalf.
Hearn suggested TKO's eagerness to pay a premium for this fight reflects how poorly their boxing venture, Zuffa Boxing, has performed since its launch in January. He said:
[TKO] need to show shareholders that Zuffa Boxing has been successful, and being front and center at AJ-Fury—even without involvement—is a way to prove that. That’s why they offered Joshua a lot of money to let them run it. It’s desperation masked as value.
Since starting, Zuffa Boxing hasn’t scheduled any events in the U.S. after July, leaving October through December empty. This failure pushes them to chase major fights like Joshua vs. Fury to gain credibility.
The Fight Confirmed but Controversy Followed
The Joshua-Fury fight was officially announced two weeks ago, ending years of anticipation. Yet within 48 hours, issues emerged after Netflix’s press release mentioned White’s promotional involvement, something Hearn opposed. Hearn described the fallout:
When that press release came out, things went sideways immediately. It looked like a contract breach. Netflix distanced themselves, saying it wasn’t their agreement, which put the fight at risk.
Efforts by Saudi Arabia’s SELA and others to push TKO's promotional role further complicated matters. Despite these pressures, Hearn kept White off the press conference and prevented him from being listed as a promoter, wins that many fans support.
Possibility of Future Negotiations with Dana White
Hearn left the door open for White’s involvement if it benefits Joshua and Matchroom, but only after the ongoing public disputes end. About six weeks ago, White was expected to acknowledge a contract clause barring his promotional role and reach out for talks, but he refused.
White continues to claim UFC will handle event production, a statement Hearn rejects, suggesting their conflict won’t resolve soon.
Hearn Challenges White to Press Conference Face-Off
Hearn expressed interest in seeing White attend the fight week press conference, eager for a verbal showdown. Few have matched Hearn’s skill in such battles, and he believes he would outshine White easily. He said:
I don’t mind Dana White being at the press conference. I’d love to have him there so I can ask all my questions. If you thought previous moments were chaotic, wait until you see me face him on stage. It’ll be like taking candy from a baby.
Still, Hearn made it clear White’s presence depends entirely on their permission.
- Offer Amount: Approximately $10 million plus purse
- Fight Date: December 11
- Location: United Kingdom
- Key Figures: Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Eddie Hearn, Dana White
- Promoters Involved: Matchroom (Hearn), TKO Group (Dana White)
- Zuffa Boxing Status: Launched January, no U.S. shows scheduled after July
