Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury hits another snag due to involvement of Dana White

One day after it was confirmed that Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will at last fight on December 11, at Cardiff, Wales’ Principality Stadium, it is being reported that the long-awaited heavyweight showdown is in jeopardy.

The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, an employee of Ring owner and the event’s financier Turki Alalshikh, posted on X late Friday: “Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua could be called off due to issues, according to sources, and a replacement fight between Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia is being considered.”

It is understood that the ‘issues’ are again down to contracts not being adhered to.

For a long time, the crux of the delay was down to the location: Joshua’s contract stipulated the bout should take place in the UK; Fury’s did not.

One thing that was consistent in those initial contracts, however, was the involvement of Dana White. Neither Joshua, promoted by Eddie Hearn, or Fury, promoted by Frank Warren, wanted Dana White and TKO to promote the event.

Yet White has made it clear for several months that he’s been a key figure in the event and its making.

Then came the official press release confirming the fight on Thursday, from broadcaster Netflix, which alluded to White being the promoter of the fight.

Joshua, via Hearn, subsequently objected to White being involved because it is stipulated on his contract, very simply, that he should not be involved.

Fury, meanwhile, announced on Friday that he had requested his contract to be changed so White could officially join the party.

Cue more utter chaos.

Following Coppinger’s social media post, Fury created his own.

"Breaking news,” he began. “Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn are trying to pull out of this fight they are saying he is not going to fight now.

"They're little shithouse cowards, mainly to do with Eddie Hearn's ego, he's making up a million different things and threatening that 'we're not going to fight', you little coward.

"AJ pull your finger out you white flag, yellow-bellied coward. You know now we're coming home, now I'm coming home the Gypsy King is coming back to the United Kingdom to thrash you in front of all my fans in Wales.”

Coppinger, after his initial tweet, then suggested it might be Fury versus David Benavidez.

"Now you’ve got Turki Alalshikh finding alternative real men who will fight at the drop of a hat,” Fury continued.

"So, I hope you are happy, you little cowardly bastards. I’ve never seen anything like you. You’re pure shithouses, and this is mainly to do with Eddie Hearn’s ego.

"What a little prick. He’s cost us the biggest fight in boxing history. Clown.”

Incidentally, the retired Terence Crawford, who last fought at 168lbs, has already ruled himself out of a fight with welterweight Garcia.