Dana White’s role in Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua has produced a new argument over the wording of Joshua’s contract. Eddie Hearn says White cannot help promote the December 11 fight in Cardiff. White’s side reportedly believes the restriction names his companies but does not name him personally.
That distinction might give White room to appear at the event, but it would do little to ease Hearn’s concern. White is the public face of Zuffa Boxing. If he stands at the podium and promotes Fury–Joshua to a global Netflix audience, few viewers will care whether the event credits list him or his company.
The Sun’s Jack Figg, who questioned White about his involvement, described what he had been told on talkSPORT: “I’ve been told from the other side, from Dana White’s side, that that contract detail includes Zuffa and TKO, not Dana White personally.”
Figg said he had not examined the contracts. Neither agreement has been released, so White’s side of the argument remains an account of its position, not an established reading of Joshua’s deal.
There is more at stake for Hearn than a place on a fight poster. Zuffa has signed former Matchroom fighters Conor Benn and Johnny Fisher, and it now has a UK television presence through Sky Sports. White taking a prominent role in the biggest British heavyweight fight would put that rival promotion in front of a vast audience on Matchroom’s home turf.
White was asked whether he would step aside if his involvement put the fight at risk. He said it was not up to him, without saying who would decide. Figg also said Wednesday’s planned press conference was uncertain.
The fight has a date and venue, but the people behind it still need to agree on what White can actually do. Changing the name beside his face on a poster may not be enough for Hearn.
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