Tyson Fury has made a rather unexpected offer to Anthony Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn ahead of their long-awaited heavyweight showdown, inviting both men for a pint of Guinness after the fight
Fury and Joshua are finally set to meet on December 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, in a blockbuster all-British heavyweight clash that has been years in the making. With the fight now officially confirmed, much of the recent drama has centered on the promotional battle involving Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White. Fury, however, appears less interested in the rivalry between the promoters.
Speaking about the situation, the former heavyweight champion makes it clear that his focus is on fighting Joshua rather than getting caught up in the promotional politics. Fury also reveals that he removed a clause from his own contract that prevented TKO and Dana White from being involved, allowing White to play a role in the event. “Listen, it was all up to Turki and Netflix and wherever they wanted to put it. That’s all there is to it, really,” Fury told FurociTV.
“It’s not really about Eddie Hearn. It’s not about Frank Warren. It’s not about Dana White. It’s not about Matchroom. It’s not about Sky. It’s not about anybody. It’s about me and Joshua. All the promoters who are saying, ‘We’ve done this, we’ve done that, I helped get it there,’ maybe they should get in the ring and fight each other on the night then? And we’ll just be spectators and take our percentage out of their money. … “It’s not about them. It’s about us. It’s not their time. It’s our time. I’m a gypsy; every f*cking country in the world is mine. Whatever country in the world I go to, I own it. That’s mine. What will be different in December, fighting in the U.K.? It’ll be f*cking pissing down, cold and wet and rainy. Cardiff. It’ll be a good night out.
“I don’t care. I’ve said all along, I don’t give a f*ck if it’s in Rome, Barbados, Derby, Newcastle. I don’t care where it is. It wouldn’t matter — if it was in space, I’d go there. Prizefighter, that’s what I do. …“I fight for the biggest paycheck there is. If I could get more money by going to China, I’d go to China. I’m not someone who’s ever going to say, ‘Oh, I’m only in it for the thrill of the sport, and the hard fights, and the knockouts!’ F*ck, I’m here to get paid and get laid, as always. I want the biggest truckload of money. Wherever that’s coming from, I’ll do it. And if it’s not there, then I don’t. I’m not cheap. I’m a very expensive escort. I’m a hired escort, literally. Whoever’s got the money, I go. Knickers come down, every single time, but it’s expensive. I’m not cheap.”“In Joshua’s contract, apparently, it says that they can’t — they couldn’t, TKO and Dana, couldn’t be involved,” Fury said.
“That was in mine, but I took it out. I took it out so he could be involved. Fuck ‘em. Yeah, I want him involved. Two baldies together. I like Dana. Good businessman and a good guy. A man who come from nothing to being a billionaire. And look what he done with the UFC. Unbelievable. I think he can do really well in boxing. Think he drives Eddie Hearn out, feeds him to the fishes.” ”Listen, this fight could get signed; he could pull out with an injury at any time,” Fury said. “So I’m not sold that this fight is actually happening until we’re in that ring. Until the ring walk happens and we exchange blows, then I know it’s on. Until then, it’s tentative.”
Fury then takes a lighter approach to the situation, offering to put the promotional drama aside and share a drink with both Joshua and Hearn after the fight. The offer comes as Fury and Joshua prepare for one of the most anticipated British heavyweight fights in years.
The December 11 showdown is now confirmed for Cardiff after months of negotiations over the venue. Joshua’s camp had insisted on a UK location, while a move to the United States had previously been discussed. The Principality Stadium ultimately gets the nod. For Fury, though, the negotiations are now behind him. The only thing left is to settle the rivalry inside the ring. And if Fury gets his way, the gloves will come off in December before the Guinness comes out afterward.
