"I Think He'll Be There": Eddie Hearn Expects Dana White To Play Key Role In Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua

Eddie Hearn wants a public showdown with Dana White ahead of Fury-Joshua clash.© NDTV Photo Library

Eddie Hearn appears to have accepted that UFC chief Dana White will be involved in Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua. Despite months of insisting that the American could not promote or produce the all-British heavyweight fight. The bout is set for December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium and will stream globally on Netflix. Hearn told iFL TV that he expects White to attend the pre-fight press conference and wants a public exchange with him over the promotion's structure. White has repeatedly said he and Turki Alalshikh's The Ring are producing and promoting the event.

Eddie Hearn welcomes face-off with Dana White

Eddie Hearn had previously argued that Anthony Joshua's contract required the fight to be held in the UK. He prevented White, TKO Group or Zuffa from taking a promotional role. He had also pushed back against a proposed Madison Square Garden date.

Now, with the fight locked in for Cardiff, Hearn says, “I think he'll be there,” and hopes to challenge White on an open forum. “I got a lot to say with him on an open forum. I think it'll be a great back-and-forth debate,” Hearn said.

White was absent from the September launch press conference, where fans booed when Alalshikh mentioned him. His later comments, however, left little doubt about his intended role.

Netflix announcement confirms White's involvement in mega-fight

Dana White said after UFC 332 that his production team would handle the broadcast and that he would be present in Wales. “I'm producing it. I'm promoting it. I'll see you in Wales,” he said.

The presence of TKO board member Nick Khan beside Alalshikh at the opening press conference had already pointed to White's involvement. Netflix's official announcement also named The Ring and White as partners in staging the fight.

Hearn's earlier objection centred on contractual control, not necessarily White's attendance. The dispute became one of the more unusual subplots behind a fight that has taken more than a decade to arrange.

Cardiff prepares for Fury vs Joshua mega-fight

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will finally meet after years of failed negotiations, with the fight expected to draw close to 80,000 spectators. Tickets sold out within an hour when they went on sale in October.

Fury enters after forcing Mariusz Wach to quit on his stool in July, while Joshua stopped Kristian Prenga despite being knocked down twice.

The main event is expected to begin in the early hours of December 12 UK time to suit the global Netflix audience. Deontay Wilder vs. Jai Opetaia has also been reported for the undercard.