Eddie Hearn has threatened legal action against Dana White, claiming White is falsely representing himself as the promoter of the planned Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua heavyweight fight and using Hearn's client to pursue a venue deal he has no rights to. Hearn also revealed that TKO has since approached him to ask whether they can be involved in the event, effectively stepping back from White's earlier claim to be the fight's promoter. Hearn said he is open to exploring TKO's involvement only if it can be shown to benefit Joshua, Matchroom, and his fighters, including a potential Matchroom vs. Zuffa undercard.
Eddie Hearn has publicly threatened legal action against Dana White, accusing the UFC president of falsely presenting himself as the promoter of the planned heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Hearn, who promotes Joshua through Matchroom Boxing, said White has been misrepresenting his role in the fight and using Joshua's name to pursue a venue deal he has no legal rights to. The dispute has escalated into one of the more contentious behind-the-scenes battles in recent boxing history, with Hearn making clear he is prepared to take the matter to court if necessary.
The 36-year-old Joshua, who stands six foot six with an 82-inch reach, remains one of the most recognizable names in heavyweight boxing. The British fighter operates out of Boxing Works and Team GB and continues to be a major commercial draw in the division, making him a central figure in any high-profile promotional negotiation.
Hearn added a notable wrinkle to the dispute, revealing that TKO — the parent company of the UFC — has since reached out to him directly to explore whether it can play a legitimate role in the event. That approach, Hearn suggested, effectively contradicts White's earlier claim to already hold promotional authority over the fight. Hearn said he is open to TKO's involvement only if it can be demonstrated to serve Joshua's interests, benefit Matchroom, and support his broader stable of fighters. He also floated the possibility of a joint Matchroom versus Zuffa undercard as part of any potential collaboration.
Why it matters
- The dispute puts the legal framework around one of boxing's most anticipated heavyweight matchups in direct question
- TKO's separate approach to Hearn suggests internal misalignment over who controls the event's promotion
- Any resolution could reshape the undercard structure, with a potential Matchroom-Zuffa crossover card carrying significant commercial implications for both sides
