By Michael Davey
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua’s highly anticipated heavyweight clash has been thrown into doubt amid a dispute over the proposed fight purse.
The two British boxers have been negotiating a potential November showdown, with Wembley Stadium in London and Madison Square Garden in New York among the venues considered.
However, Fury has now revealed that the bout may not go ahead at all due to Joshua’s financial demands.
Matchroom Sport – who represent Joshua – are nevertheless confident that negotiations will lead to a fight eventually taking place.
More money
In a video posted to his social media, Fury said: “It doesn’t look like they [Matchroom] are going to sign the fight and it doesn’t look like it is going to happen – all because [Joshua’s promoter] Eddie Hearn and that want more money.
“They have already had that much money off [co-founder of Zuffa Boxing] Turki [Alalshikh] over the last few years, Eddie and AJ.
“They have had boxing deals, they have had darts deals, they have had snooker deals, they have had everything.
“And yet, they have got the audacity and cheek of flea-bitten rats to ask for more money from old Turki than you have had combined over the last couple of years.
“Keep on running you cowards.”
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Optimistic outlook
Matchroom CEO Frank Smith, meanwhile, has told Sky Sports that he remains optimistic over reaching a deal despite the possible change in venue from Wembley to Madison Square Garden.
“It will be disappointing for it not to be in the UK, but at the same time if it means seeing the fight, we all want to see that fight happen,” Smith said.
“Let’s see how things play out.
“We’re following the terms of what we signed up to, which is a fight in the UK.
“That is what we signed up to and when the fight was announced in March, April time, the fight was signed.
“Those were the terms we signed up for.
“They are the conversations that are taking place right now.
“MSG is a proposed venue that they would like to look at – i.e. The Ring magazine, Saudi delegation – so let’s see.”
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