Eddie Hearn has dismissed Dana White’s recent claims about the UFC boss producing the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua match, stating bluntly that White is “completely cooked” and contractually prohibited from involvement in the production.
Speaking during an interview, Hearn addressed White’s comments about handling the TV production for the heavyweight blockbuster.
“At this point I think he’s just he’s completely cooked. What he actually said was he said we are producing the TV production which again in the contract is prohibited,” Hearn explained.
The Matchroom promoter revealed he had initially decided against releasing a video addressing the situation, but White’s continued statements forced his hand.
After consulting, Hearn received written confirmation that White’s claims were false.
“I spoke and I said have you seen this video. And they said yes and it is completely untrue and they told me that in writing. He cannot do that under the contract,” Hearn stated.
Despite the ongoing dispute, Hearn expressed a grudging respect for White’s persistence.
“I got to actually admire him because rather than just going, ‘Listen, fair play. Hearn had me by the short and curlies,’ he goes ‘no’ and he just won’t give up. The front on him is unbelievable.”
The situation remains fluid, with Hearn scheduled to meet with representatives in Los Angeles next week, where White is expected to attend. However, Hearn made clear the power dynamics at play.
“They cannot be involved in the match unless myself and Anthony allow them to be. And they seem to be very desperate to be involved in the match.”
Hearn acknowledged that both Turki Alalshikh and Netflix want the UFC involved for promotional purposes, and he’s not entirely opposed to the idea.
“It’s been great for the promotion and the buildup and the hype of the match,” he admitted. However, he wants clarity on what benefits such involvement would bring to Joshua and his team.
The promoter explained what White should have done differently.
“What he was supposed to have done was to go on one of these and gone I’m now aware of the contractual position and I’m going to step back and not get in the way. And I’m going to meet with Matchroom Eddie and Turki Alalshikh and we’re going to see if we can find a way forward.”
