Eddie Hearn: Zuffa Boxing barred from Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua's contract for the Tyson Fury fight locks the bout to the U.K., but Fury's deal carries no such venue clause, according to BoxingScene.

The contract gap leaves wiggle room on location even as Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn maintains that both fighters signed agreements explicitly barring Zuffa Boxing from promotional duties. "I don't know what [Fury's contract] says about the venue," Hearn told BoxingScene. "I just know what ours says: That, exclusively, the fight must take place in the U.K."

White claims role despite contract exclusion

Dana White said last week he would be promoting the heavyweight superfight and hinted at a venue outside Britain. Hearn disputes that, arguing the contracts name him and Frank Warren as promoters of record while excluding the UFC boss and his new Zuffa Boxing venture. The wrinkle, per Hearn, is Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh's 60 per cent ownership stake in Zuffa Boxing. White seized on that link to claim involvement, but Hearn insists the contract language overrides any ownership technicality.

BoxingScene reports two boxing officials said Alalshikh proposed SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles as a possible site, with Hearn speculating that Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas could also be in play. Both fighters have tune-ups booked first: Fury on August 1 in Dublin, Joshua on July 25 against Kristian Prenga.

Hearn also blasted Zuffa's tactics in boxing, pointing to multiple cease-and-desist letters from Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN over alleged contract violations. The Joshua-Fury contracts exist between Alalshikh, Saudi events planner Sela, and the two fighters, covering their respective tune-ups and the main event. Whether Fury's camp renegotiates the venue clause before September remains the next question.

Source: boxingscene.com