Dana White says Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua delay is a ‘total ego thing’ and explains why he won’t be at the press conference
· Yahoo Sports
Dana White says he is definitely part of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua.
The last few weeks have been dominated by the public battle between Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, and the UFC CEO over whether or not White will be involved in the Fury vs. Joshua superfight in December. Despite having no direct promotional relationship with either fighter, White and fight financier, Turki Alalshikh, have pushed for White’s involvement in the promotion, while Hearn has steadfastly refused to allow it.
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As such, for the past few weeks the fight has appeared to be in jeopardy of even happening, but on the eve of their first official press conference, White insists that everything has been settled, and that he is part of the promotion.
“There’s no confusion whatsoever,” White told reporters after the latest edition of Contender Series on Tuesday night. “If you look at everything, from the network to the guy that’s actually f*cking paying for it, and to me saying what I’ve said. I’ve been saying it now feels like for f*cking years, but it’s probably been weeks, and I’ve been saying the same thing. …
“It’s happening. It’s done,” White continued. “It’s a done deal. Everything that I’ve been saying is the truth. Why would I say it and double down, and triple down, and f*cking quadruple down if it wasn’t the case?”
Of course, White has insisted several times before that things were settled, only for Hearn to deny those claims later. Hearn and White have been embroiled in an increasingly bitter rivalry for most of 2026, since White moved into boxing with Zuffa Boxing and quickly signed one of Hearn’s long-time fighters, Conor Benn. Since then, the two have battled through the media, with White at one point even suggesting they fight for real. So, as this rivalry continues, White puts the issues with booking Fury-Joshua down to ego.
“This isn’t a hesitation, this is an ego thing,” White said. “Total ego thing. It has nothing to do with any of this shit. And listen, boxing has taken a hit in the United States. It’s not as big as it was 20 years ago. It has become a very British sport, and all the shit that you’re hearing, the crying, and the bitching, and whatever the f*ck, is coming from the U.K.”
White also insisted that despite all his fiery language, he’s actually in his element, telling reporters he’s having fun and that “this is right up my alley.”
It’s still unclear exactly what role White plays in the Fury-Joshua fight, though, and whatever it is, it apparently won’t be part of the opening press conference on Wednesday, as White confirmed he will not be in attendance for the London event.
“No, because I was here,” White said when asked if he would be at the press conference. “I would have been there if I didn’t have the Contender.”
Fury and Joshua are expected to fight on Dec. 11 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.