Fury vs Joshua: Hearn says AJ must renegotiate for US move

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury remain contractually locked to stage their heavyweight clash in the United Kingdom, and any shift to the United States would force Joshua's camp to renegotiate the entire deal, according to Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.

Hearn told BBC Sport that the bout will proceed in the UK this year unless either fighter loses an interim contest beforehand. He said Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has not formally requested a venue change, despite mounting chatter about Las Vegas. "I don't think there's a person on the planet that doesn't think this fight should take place in the UK," Hearn said. "But he's paying the bill and the bill is extortionate. So you've got to find a way to make it work. So, if they want to change anything in the contract, we have to renegotiate the contract and start again."

Hearn disputes Dana White's promotional role

Hearn also pushed back against UFC president Dana White's claims that Zuffa Boxing will promote the event, insisting the contract bars White and his company from any involvement unless Joshua's side agrees otherwise. "The contract clearly states that Dana White and Zuffa Boxing, or anyone associated, cannot be the promoters of this event," Hearn said. "The only way Dana could have any involvement in the show is if we let him. And it's not really how I'm feeling at the moment." Frank Warren, who promotes Fury, told BBC Sport earlier this week that a meeting of all parties will soon determine the date and location.

Hearn expects that meeting to happen next week but said the only scenario that stops Fury-Joshua is a loss by Joshua to Kristian Prenga on 25 July or Fury falling in his own interim fight, reportedly set for 1 August. Alalshikh has reportedly asked White to explore the financial case for Las Vegas, which Hearn believes led White to overstate his role. Joshua, 36, and Fury, 37, remain two of British boxing's biggest stars despite being past their primes, and the bout has been orchestrated by Alalshikh with both fighters' teams dealing directly with the Saudis.

Hearn added that neither Matchroom nor Queensberry can act as lead promoter because it would hand one fighter's camp an advantage over the other. Alalshikh has suggested next week's meeting will include peace talks between Hearn and White, but Hearn said he prefers the rivalry. "I would be disappointed if Turki Alalshikh makes us find peace, because I want war," he said.

Source: bbc.co.uk