The long-awaited fight between two former heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could be in trouble just days after boxing fans were finally given a date. And Fury isn’t being quiet about who he thinks is responsible.
Fury accused Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn of trying to pull out of the December 11 fight in Cardiff,branding his British rival a “yellow-bellied coward.”
There’s no confirmed cause behind the rumoured cancellation; however, reports suggest that there might be an issue with UFC Head Dana White’s involvement in the bout.
When the fight was officially announced, Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh said he and the UFC boss would collaborate on promoting the event. That immediately created an issue for Hearn.
Joshua’s long-time promoter says their contract specifically states that White and TKO Group Holdings cannot have a promotional role in the fight.
Hearn has insisted the contract must be honoured. Fury sees things very differently.
He accused Hearn of allowing his dispute with White to put one of the biggest fights in British boxing history at risk and directly challenged Joshua to go ahead with the bout.
“AJ, pull your finger out,” Fury said before calling him a “white-flagged, yellow-bellied coward.”
The drama comes only days after Fury-Joshua was finally confirmed for Cardiff’s Principality Stadium following years of failed negotiations.
Netflix is due to stream the fight globally. There are already signs organisers are considering what happens if the deal falls apart.
Reports suggest Terence Crawford against Ryan Garcia has been discussed as a possible replacement, while Fury has even shared a mock poster showing himself facing David Benavidez.
For now, Fury-Joshua hasn’t officially been cancelled.
2026-09-26 20:16:00
