Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are scheduled to face off this week in the first press conference ahead of their long-awaited super showdown.
Or will they?
News broke last week that the two fighters had finally agreed terms on what will be the biggest bout in British boxing history. Just days later, and it’s already in doubt.
Setting up a fight is rarely straightforward in boxing, especially one of this size. What has been suggested elsewhere is that the involvement of UFC president and Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White, whom boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has involved to help promote the fight.
When is the Fury vs Joshua press conference?
The press conference is still scheduled for Wednesday, September 30 at 6pm BST.
It will be held at British Airways ARC at the Olympia.
Why is the press conference in doubt?
White’s involved is said to have angered Joshua and his long-time promoter Eddie Hearn, who has been in a long-running feud with White. Hearn says it was written into Joshua’s contract that White is not involved in the fight, while Fury has said that he removed the same stipulation from his own deal.
Hearn has insisted that White “won’t be at the presser”, adding: "Even Netflix put out a press release [saying] the fight will be in conjunction with Dana White ... There's loads of battles to come on that because that ain't happening either.
"Dana White cannot be involved with this fight promotion. Netflix clearly didn't get the memo. No one talks to each other. I speak to Sela and Turki: 'No. Dana White is not involved in the fight. You've got a contract that says that.”
White insists he will be involved, telling Sky Sports over the weekend: “Well, I think that the [Netflix] press release speaks for itself. I've been saying since the beginning of the talks of this fight that I was going to be involved in the promotion of it.”
Will press conference be cancelled?
The biggest hint yet that the press conference is currently set to go ahead is Eddie Hearn’s diary.
Hearn’s promotion company Matchroom Boxing have announced the fight week schedule for Saturday’s bout between Ben Whittaker and Conor Wallace, and eagled-eyed fans have spotted that the traditional Wednesday workout in front of the media has not been included.
Hearn would be expected to attend the media day due to Matchroom boxer Whittaker’s involvement, leaving some to speculate that Hearn has kept his Wednesday free for a press conference in Olympia.
Latest odds
Will Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua take place in 2026?
Yes: 2/7 (78%)
No: 11/10 (48%)
(Odds via Betfair Exchange, subject to change.)
