Heavyweight Bout Dispute
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua Heavyweight Bout Faces New Scheduling and Promoter Disputes
Anonymous
The Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua heavyweight bout was reportedly planned for December 11 in Cardiff and appeared back on track after a 48-hour negotiating period, with a launch press conference expected Wednesday. A proposed start around 2 a.m. to suit U.S. viewers has drawn calls from Fury’s camp for an earlier time, while disagreements among promoters, including over Dana White’s involvement, have raised doubts about whether the fight will proceed. Fury puts the odds of the matchup happening at just 1% and says he would fight David Benavidez instead, describing him as tougher than Joshua and predicting he would knock Joshua out in about three rounds. Benavidez is scheduled to fight Michal Cieslak on December 12 and is also linked to a potential bout with Jai Opetaia, making a short-notice replacement difficult to arrange.
Key Points
1
Fury’s camp argued the proposed 2 a.m. start would be impractical for British fans hoping to watch together in pubs, clubs or homes; it also cited Cardiff’s December cold and said the city was already largely sold out.
2
One report said Fury and Joshua were each due to receive $75 million for the bout.
3
Fury blamed Joshua’s side for the dispute over Dana White’s involvement, but the report noted that this was Fury’s account and not evidence that Joshua intended to withdraw.
4
Benavidez had already agreed to face Jai Opetaia on May 5 in Las Vegas, after Opetaia called him into the ring following his September victory over Noel Mikaelian.
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