Dana White, the CEO of Zuffa Boxing, has claimed a central role in promoting the long-awaited heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Speaking during a Kick livestream with Nina Drama on May 8, 2026, White asserted his involvement in the event just ahead of UFC 328 in Newark.
“I’m doing the Tyson Fury-AJ fight, too. I’m promoting that,” White told viewers, sparking a immediate backlash from the established promoters of both British heavyweights.
Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua’s long-term promoter, was quick to dismissal the claim as “clout chasing.” Taking to his Instagram story, Hearn stated that White’s involvement is “contractually impossible” under current agreements.
Frank Warren, who represents Tyson Fury through Queensberry Promotions, echoed this sentiment by clarifying that Fury’s contract explicitly prevents Zuffa Boxing from promoting the bout. When confronted with Warren’s comments, White offered a sarcastic retreat, suggesting that if Warren says he isn’t the promoter, “he must be right.”
The confusion surrounding the promotional credits arrives at a pivotal time for the heavyweight division. While the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua bout may land in November, the commercial rights are currently held by Turki Alalshikh.
As the chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Alalshikh has frequently distributed operational duties to various promoters for Riyadh Season events. While White has been increasingly involved through Zuffa Boxing, Hearn and Warren remain adamant that their fighters are legally bound to their respective camps for this specific matchup.
Evaluating potential venues for the heavyweight clash
The debate over who is lead-promoting the event is secondary for many fans to the question of where the ring will be set. While White claims to have inside knowledge of the location, Hearn has consistently pointed toward two primary regions. The United Kingdom remains a front-runner for the November 2026 date.
Wembley Stadium has been cited as an “obvious pick” by the Matchroom camp, though logistical challenges remain.
America is also being discussed as a viable option, primarily due to the “erratic climate” of Britain in late autumn. Unlike previous reports that suggested a specific city, the US remains a general geographic contender alongside Riyadh and London.
Turki Alalshikh, who is covering the bill for the spectacle, will ultimately make the final decision on the venue. Regardless of the location, the fight is expected to stream globally on Netflix, moving away from traditional pay-per-view platforms.
Anthony Joshua faces July test against Kristian Prenga
Anthony Joshua cannot afford to overlook his immediate future while the Fury negotiations continue. The former champion is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This bout serves as a necessary “tune-up” following Joshua’s sixth-round stoppage of Jake Paul in Miami last December.
Hearn has confirmed that while the Fury-Joshua fight is “officially signed,” it remains entirely contingent on Joshua defeating Prenga next month.
Should Prenga secure an upset victory, the planned November superfight would likely be cancelled or delayed. This high-stakes environment mirrors other recent divisions where established stars have faced unexpected roadblocks. For instance, com/errol-spence-jr-comeback-fundora-warning/”>Errol Spence Jr faces the threat of harm from Sebastian Fundora in his own comeback bid, proving that no heavyweight or pound-for-pound star is safe until the final bell rings in their interim assignments.
Tyson Fury targets three fights in 2026
Tyson Fury has outlined a busy calendar for 2026, having already secured a points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April. “The Gypsy King” reportedly wants to compete three times this year, with an interim bout targeted for August before the Anthony Joshua showdown.
Fury has hinted at a possible homecoming fight in Dublin, Ireland, on August 1, though an opponent has not been confirmed. Andy Ruiz Jr. has been officially ruled out of contention for that summer date.
This aggressive scheduling is part of Fury’s plan to stay active before the “big fight” in the fourth quarter of the year. He has largely stayed out of the public spat between White and Hearn, focusing instead on his training and potential domestic rivals.
The involvement of Zuffa Boxing in recent major events, such as the promotion of Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, suggests that while White’s claim to be the primary promoter may be disputed, his influence in the sport is undeniably growing.
As of June 7, 2026, the promotional landscape remains a mix of conflicting claims and signed contracts. Zuffa Boxing is currently preparing to host ZUFFA Boxing 07 at the Bournemouth International Center (BIC) in England, further establishing White’s footprint in the UK market.
However, for the November heavyweight clash to proceed as planned, Joshua must first clear the hurdle in Riyadh this July, leaving the boxing world in a state of high-stakes anticipation.
