Simon Jordan doesn’t buy Anthony Joshua’s explanation that bringing the Tyson Fury fight to Britain was about serving British boxing. Fighting at home rewards Joshua’s supporters, but it also serves his own ambitions in a contest that could define the final stage of his career.
Eddie Hearn’s acknowledgment that a British venue gives Joshua an advantage supplies a practical reason for that choice. Accepting a smaller purse can make sense if Joshua believes Cardiff improves his chances of winning.
“I don’t buy into the nonsense about doing this for Britain,” Jordan told talkSPORT. “Anthony has done things for himself and achieved things for himself.”
Spencer Oliver pushed back, saying Joshua’s contract specified a UK venue and that Joshua and Hearn resisted efforts to move the fight abroad.
Hearn has claimed Joshua rejected more than £10 million in additional earnings to keep the December 11 contest at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. He also acknowledged that fighting in Britain gives Joshua an edge.
The financial sacrifice deserves credit. But the larger purse available in America was only one consideration. Losing to Fury could weaken demand for Joshua’s next fight, while victory would leave him better placed to pursue a rematch or another major payday.
If Joshua believes Britain offers his best chance of winning, taking less money now could protect his future earnings. That would be a reasonable career decision, alongside any desire to reward British supporters.
The crowd argument needs more care. Fury is British too and has a substantial following. Joshua cannot assume Cardiff will belong to him or that the atmosphere will unsettle his opponent.
Jordan is right to question a purely patriotic explanation. Joshua’s career and financial interests belong in the discussion. But those interests don’t erase the benefit to supporters who wanted the fight at home.
Joshua can deserve credit for choosing Britain while also making the decision he believes gives him the best chance against Fury.
