Joshua vs Fury collapse impossible – Hearn

Promoter, Eddie Hearn, has declared that a collapse of the long-awaited Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury showdown is impossible, insisting the contract for the bout has already been signed and cannot simply be walked away from.

Speaking to DAZN, Hearn said the fight, which has moved closer to fruition after months of talks, was now firmly locked in, with only a breach of the signed agreement capable of derailing it.

“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.”

His comments came after Fury suggested the blockbuster bout was in danger because Joshua was allegedly seeking more money, a claim Hearn dismissed as noise, insisting the contracts had already been signed by both parties.

He explained that while the deal could still be breached, potentially creating a legal dispute, Joshua could not simply change his mind about honouring the agreement without exposing himself or his promotional side to contractual consequences.

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“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.

Hearn disclosed that the main point of contention was now the fight’s location, with Joshua’s contract calling for the bout to be staged in the United Kingdom, while Saudi-backed organisers are pushing for Madison Square Garden in New York.

He said Joshua remained willing to consider staging the fight in America, but only under revised terms.

“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 holds a professional record of 30 wins, four losses and 27 knockouts, while Fury has a record of 36 wins, two losses, one draw and 25 knockouts.