Published 8 days ago
Crossed Tensions: White and Hearn Clash Before the Fury-Joshua Showdown
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The rivalry between Dana White and Eddie Hearn intensifies ahead of the Fury-Joshua fight, set for December 2026. A breakdown of a war of words with media and financial stakes.
To remember:
- Eddie Hearn calls Dana White "completely washed up" in their media duel.
- White claims to be overseeing the live production for Netflix, as he did for the recent Canelo-Spence Jr.
- Saudi contractual clauses (SELA) would prohibit any UFC involvement in the TV production.
The rivalry between Dana White, UFC president, and Eddie Hearn, British promoter, has taken on an unprecedented dimension ahead of the fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, scheduled for December 11, 2026 in Cardiff. This clash of titans, set to be one of the biggest boxing events of the decade, is already overshadowed by a war of words between the two most influential promoters in the sport.
It all started when Hearn, known for his bluntness, fired a sharp jab during a press conference. Calling White "completely washed up", he questioned his ability to organize an event of this scale without breaching contractual clauses. This is no small claim, as SELA, the Saudi fund behind the financing, has explicitly banned any UFC involvement in the TV production.
White, unfazed, fired back with his usual confidence. According to him, his team is indeed overseeing the live production for Netflix, just as he did for the recent Canelo Alvarez vs. Errol Spence Jr. "I’ll be there, with my phone on the table, like at every event I produce," he stated after UFC 332. A response that leaves doubts about the true extent of his involvement.
This media battle, while spectacular, raises legitimate questions. How can such a high-profile event avoid conflicts of interest? And how far will White and Hearn go in their verbal duel? One thing is certain: the Fury vs. Joshua showdown has already sparked plenty of talk before the first bell even rings.
As the two promoters continue to clash through the media, one question remains: who will emerge victorious from this war of words? One thing is certain: the Fury-Joshua event is already shaping up to be a showdown far beyond the ring.