Smith On Joshua-Fury Talks After White's Criticism

Matchroom executive Frank Smith says time is running out to stage Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury in 2026.

Smith spoke to iFL TV this week about the ongoing venue dispute that has stalled the all-British heavyweight clash, even after contracts were reportedly signed. The delay prompted Zuffa Boxing's Dana White to accuse Eddie Hearn of sabotaging the fight, a claim Smith rejected outright.

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Smith Fires Back At White Over Venue Drama

Smith told iFL TV that White's frustration stems from being shut out of a fight he has no formal role in promoting. He dismissed White's public claims about maximizing fighter pay, pointing to the UFC's revenue-sharing model. "You pay 17% of your revenue to UFC fighters," Smith said, per Bad Left Hook. "You care about yourself."

Smith added that Matchroom and Joshua's team signed a contract for a UK date and have fulfilled their obligations. He suggested White's public positioning is driven by ego rather than business reality.

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On the timeline for an announcement, Smith acknowledged the margin for error is shrinking. "We're at a point where for this year we're cutting very fine," he said. Staging a fight of this scale requires extensive promotion, and the calendar is working against all parties. Smith said he remains hopeful a location will be confirmed soon, though he stopped short of naming a front-runner.

The Joshua-Fury fight has been discussed for years but never materialised. Both heavyweights hold wins over Wladimir Klitschko and sit near the top of most rankings, making the matchup one of the most commercially viable in the division. Whether it happens in 2026 now depends on how quickly the camps can resolve the venue standoff.

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• Bad Left Hook — ‘I’m hopeful we get an announcement soon’: Frank Smith discusses the dragging Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury negotiations