Matchroom Boxing’s CEO has highlighted a problem in the ongoing talks between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, with their super-fight at risk of collapsing.
This year, British heavyweights Joshua and Fury signed to fight each other at long last, five years after they previously signed a deal that fell through. Once again, however, a problem has arisen.
Joshua’s contract is for a clash in the UK, while Fury’s contract is flexible on location. Fury and certain key figures are pushing for a 20 November showdown in New York City, while “AJ” is digging in his heels in hopes of boxing at Wembley Stadium.
And Matchroom’s Frank Smith has pointed to an issue with the “narrative” around the negotiations, while speaking to Playbook Boxing – powered by Betway.
“I’ve always been open: I think it would be disappointing if this fight doesn’t take place in the UK,” Smith said. “I’m not going to sit here and say that if it does take place in the US… ultimately you can never win.
“Because if it doesn’t happen, people go, ‘Joshua’s pulling out,’ and the narrative, the spin [from Fury] will be: ‘AJ doesn’t want to fight me.’ Now, that’s the truth [of what Fury will say], isn’t it?
“But let’s be honest: if it happens in New York, people will be like, ‘[Joshua and his team] just gave up.’ It’s like, well, which one do you want? Because he can’t win, really, can he?
“We will fight tooth and nail to get the fight in the UK, but ultimately, everyone wants to see the fight. AJ wants the fight, hence why he signed up for the fight.
“So, it’s going to be a case of: you’re never going to keep everyone happy. But I’m hopeful we can get there with it […] If it doesn’t happen, all I can say is it’s not down to Anthony Joshua, because Anthony Joshua is ready and willing to fight.
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“If two parties enter into a contract, both sides have got an obligation to deliver upon it, so Anthony Joshua has an obligation to turn up to a venue in the UK to fight Tyson Fury this year – by the end of December.
“It won’t be Anthony Joshua’s fault if the fight doesn’t happen. I’m not going to say whose fault it will be. I can’t be bothered to get myself in any trouble or cause any more issues.”
Of the desire from some parties for Madison Square Garden to host the fight in New York City, Smith continued: “Ultimately, when there’s such a push from so many different people just to do the fight in the US, it’s easy for people to say: ‘No, just stand strong and have an argument.’
“You go through a process, and ultimately we’re going through that process now. I’m not going to go into the detail of what needs to happen, but those discussions are ongoing. Our thoughts and comments are back with the relevant teams to come back to us on.
“I believe it’s largely led by the Netflix subscriber base – a lot of that base being in America, and the fact that they’re a huge driving force in the fight.
“But again, everyone signed up for the fight in the UK. It’s only subsequently that people have said: ‘No, actually, we want it in America.’
“I believe that’s one of the key reasons: the Netflix piece and the subscriber numbers out in the US, which are obviously now a major part of their business.”
