UFC president Dana White has cast doubt on whether Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury actually want to fight each other, despite both signing contracts earlier this year.
Joshua and Fury agreed to a two-fight deal in early 2026, but no date or venue has been confirmed. Netflix, the broadcast partner, wants to stage the bout in New York on November 20, but Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn insist the fight should take place in the UK, as stipulated in their contract.
White Questions Fighters' Commitment
White, who has long claimed involvement in setting up the fight and knowledge of its location, now doubts whether both men are fully invested.
“Listen, this f***ing saga, we’ll see how this whole thing plays out,” White said. “They either want to fight or they don’t. I don’t know. To make a fight, two guys have to want to fight. Period. End of story. Contracts and this and that? There’s a lot of f***ing money for grabs in this fight. Do you want to fight or do you not want to fight?
“I don’t give a s*** one way or the other. I’d be happy [if the fight was in the UK]. I don’t give a s***. Do you want to fight or do you not want to fight? The fight should have happened 10 years ago, is it going to happen now? We’ll see.”
Warren Admits Fight Could Collapse
Fury has not commented on where he wants the fight held, leaving the decision to Joshua. Fury's promoter Frank Warren, however, acknowledged the fight could still fall apart.
“Tyson Fury has his agreement, which states something different,” Warren told Box Nation. “The fight will happen. I’ve heard what Eddie has said. They’re either going to agree to it or not. If they don’t agree to it then the fight won’t happen.
“Tyson signed for the fight back in January; the fight was supposed to happen in September. They were supposed to have a warm-up fight in September; unfortunately there was that terrible, tragic accident that ‘AJ’ was in where he lost two of his best friends, and that held everything up, but the fight I understand, will be November, and the venue will be announced in due course.”
