Fury vs Joshua must stay in UK unless AJ agrees new terms

Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn says the heavyweight's contract with Tyson Fury requires their fight to take place in the UK, and any attempt to shift the bout to Las Vegas would force Joshua's side to renegotiate from scratch.

Hearn told BBC Sport that Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh has not formally requested a venue change, despite persistent talk of a US location. If no new deal is struck, the fight goes ahead in Britain this year barring an upset loss by either man in their respective tune-ups. "If they want to change anything in the contract, we have to renegotiate the contract and start again," Hearn said.

Hearn rejects White's promotion claims

The Matchroom boss also dismissed UFC president Dana White's assertion that he will promote the event under the Zuffa Boxing banner. According to Hearn, the existing contract explicitly bars White or any Zuffa affiliate from serving as lead promoter unless Joshua's team grants permission. "The only way Dana could have any involvement in the show is if we let him," Hearn said. "And it's not really how I'm feeling at the moment."

Frank Warren, Fury's promoter, told BBC Sport earlier this week that a multi-party meeting will happen soon to finalize date and location. Hearn expects that sit-down next week but stressed the only threat to the bout is Joshua losing to Kristian Prenga on July 25 or Fury falling in his proposed August 1 interim fight.

Alalshikh has suggested the meeting will include peace talks between Hearn and White, whose rivalry has intensified since Zuffa entered boxing and signed Conor Benn away from Matchroom. Hearn said he prefers the feud to continue. "I would be disappointed if Turki Alalshikh makes us find peace, because I want war," he added.

Source: bbc.co.uk