Hearn Mocks White After Fury vs. Joshua No-Show

Eddie Hearn says Dana White's absence from the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua press conference proves the UFC boss never had a promotional role in the fight.

White did not appear at the Sept. 30 launch event in London despite repeatedly saying he would be a co-promoter for the Dec. 11 bout in Cardiff. When ring announcer Michael Buffer listed off the promotional team, neither White nor Zuffa Boxing were named, according to Bad Left Hook. The fight is promoted by Sela in association with Matchroom Boxing, Gold Star, and Queensberry.

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Hearn Calls White Situation A PR Disaster

Hearn told The Stomping Ground the last seven days have been "one of the greatest PR disasters in boxing" for White. He pointed out that White claimed the fight would happen in America and that he knew the venue when neither statement turned out to be true. "You told the world you signed the venue contract. None of that materialized," Hearn said, per MMA Fighting.

White said he skipped the presser due to his Contender Series commitments the night before in Las Vegas. Hearn dismissed that explanation, noting White could have taken a private jet to make the 7 p.m. London event. "The reality is his event last night, he could have got on his jet and come here," Hearn said.

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The Matchroom boss acknowledged that His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, who is bankrolling the fight, wants White involved due to their business partnership. But Hearn maintains his contract with Joshua prevents White from holding a promotional role without Matchroom's approval. He left the door open to White participating in some capacity if it benefits Joshua, but said the promoter battle is settled.

Fury and Joshua weigh in Dec. 10 ahead of their heavyweight clash at Principality Stadium the following night.

Photo: AlfredoMMA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Original reporting:

• badlefthook.com — ‘I had to stand my ground’: Hearn on ‘winning’ battle with Dana White | Bad Left Hook
• mmafighting.com — Eddie Hearn mocks Dana White after not appearing at Fury vs. Joshua press conference: ‘One of the greatest PR disasters in boxing’ | MMA Fighting
• sherdog.com — Eddie Hearn calls Dana White’s Fury-Joshua drama a ‘PR Disaster’