Hearn Insists Fury-Joshua Fight Is Signed, Rules Out Contract Collapse

Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the long-awaited heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is contractually agreed and will go ahead, despite recent suggestions from Fury that the bout could fall through.

Hearn told DAZN on Sunday that the contracts had been signed and that the remaining issue was agreeing on a date and venue.

“We’ve signed the contract, we’re waiting for a date,” Hearn said.

He also dismissed any suggestion that either fighter could simply withdraw from the agreement.

“The fight’s signed. No-one can pull out of the fight. You can’t just pull out of a contract,” he added.

The main unresolved issue is where the bout will take place.

The highly anticipated all-British heavyweight clash was initially expected to be staged in the United Kingdom in November, but Saudi organisers Sela are pushing for the fight to be held in the United States, with New York’s Madison Square Garden reportedly among the preferred venues.

Both Fury and Joshua have separate agreements with Sela.

Hearn said his preference remained for the fight to be staged in Britain but acknowledged that the event could move to the United States if suitable terms were agreed.

“We know everybody and his dog involved in the fight wants to do the fight in America. We don’t,” he said.

Hearn stressed that discussions with Sela were continuing and insisted there was no indication that the agreement for the fight was under threat.