Pulling Out of Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Impossible, Says Eddie Hearn

The long-awaited Anthony Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) vs Tyson Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) showdown has finally reached a potential fruition. With the contract signed, promoter Eddie Hearn only has one thing to say: there is no turning back.

Talking to DAZN, Hearn admitted that Joshua vs Fury has become impossible to avoid.

“We’ve signed the contract, we’re waiting for a date. You saw Tyson Fury shouting and screaming. There’s nothing to shout and scream about; the fight’s done,” he said. “The fight’s signed. No one can pull out of the fight. You can’t just pull out of a contract.”

Hearn’s insistence that Joshua vs. Fury is effectively impossible to “pull out” of comes down to the fact that, from Joshua’s side, the deal is done. Fury recently suggested that the blockbuster bout was in danger because Joshua was allegedly seeking more money, but Hearn dismissed it as noise, saying the contracts have already been signed and that the only way the fight can ultimately fall apart is if one party breaches the agreement.

The important distinction is that “we can’t pull out” doesn’t mean the fight is literally guaranteed under every circumstance. Hearn himself acknowledged that the contract could be breached, potentially creating a legal dispute. His point is that Joshua cannot simply wake up tomorrow and say, “I’ve changed my mind; I’m not fighting Fury.” The signed agreement creates obligations, and walking away could expose the fighter or his promotional side to contractual consequences.

“There’s no suggestion that the fight’s not happening; no one can stop this fight from happening. The only way it can stop from happening is if they actually breach the contract,” he said.

“Everybody And His Dog”

The current dispute is primarily over where the fight will take place; Joshua’s contract calls for the bout to be staged in the United Kingdom, while the Saudi-backed organizers are pushing for Madison Square Garden in New York. Hearn says Joshua is willing to consider America, but only if the terms are changed.

“We know everybody and his dog involved in the fight wants to do the fight in America. We don’t,” he said. “We’ve told Sela and the team if you want to do it in America, these are the terms that we can move forward with. But we’d rather not, please.”

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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