Eddie Hearn Sets Deadline for Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury

Eddie Hearn has given the parties backing Anthony Joshua’s fight with Tyson Fury until the end of this week to accept Matchroom’s contractual revisions. Although Wembley is his first choice, Hearn insists Joshua will accept Madison Square Garden rather than allow the heavyweight fight to collapse.

“What I’m saying is the moment of those two walking out in front of 100,000 people at Wembley will be like Saturday night at Croke Park. MSG will be great. Twenty thousand, it’ll be a massive fight. It just won’t be the same, but what we’re not going to do is we’re not going to lose the fight,” Hearn told DAZN Boxing.

“So, what we’ve done is we’ve gone back to the Saudis and said, ‘Here are the changes. They’re all completely reasonable. If you really want to do it, let’s go.’ But they’ve got to decide this week.”

Hearn’s deadline transfers the pressure to the Saudi side. Joshua has signed for the fight, but Matchroom still wants unspecified terms amended before the deal is finalized.

The promoter did not identify the disputed points. Calling every amendment “completely reasonable” is Hearn’s description of the negotiations, not confirmation that the other parties consider them minor.

Wembley offers attendance and atmosphere that MSG cannot duplicate. New York provides its own historical prestige and access to the American market, but approximately 20,000 spectators in Manhattan would create a different event from a British stadium filled with Joshua and Fury supporters.

That sacrifice is preferable to losing the fight entirely. Making England an absolute condition would also expose Joshua to accusations of avoiding Fury, regardless of the contractual reasons behind the decision.

“We’re not saying, ‘It’s England or nothing,’ which a lot of people said: ‘Just say that.’ But you know that when you’re up against everybody, it’s hard to do that because then you get accused of ducking the fight. We signed for the fight; we’re in for the fight. So wherever it is, it’ll be amazing.”

The calendar helps explain Hearn’s urgency. With November 20 targeted, organizers need enough time to announce the venue, stage promotional events, sell tickets, arrange international travel, and complete medical and licensing requirements. Each additional week spent negotiating reduces the runway for selling one of boxing’s largest events.

If talks continue beyond this week, Matchroom will have to reveal more about the disputed terms or face questions about what is truly holding up the fight.

Share on Facebook

Post on X