Dana White Fires Back at Eddie Hearn Over Joshua vs. Fury Promotion Drama
White dismissed Hearn's contract violation claims as an "incredible lawsuit" and questioned why he's the main topic.
Dana White is tired of being Eddie Hearn's favorite subject. The UFC boss fired back at the Matchroom promoter during a media scrum, dismissing Hearn's claims about contractual violations over the Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury fight.
"He's got an incredible lawsuit," White said sarcastically, per MMA Junkie. White confirmed he is producing and promoting the Joshua vs. Fury fight and said a meeting about the event took place the day before his comments. He plans to attend the fight before flying back to Las Vegas for a UFC event.
What clearly irritated White was Hearn making him the story. White pushed back on Hearn discussing him on Ariel Helwani's show, asking why he had become "the main topic" when Joshua and Fury are the ones fighting. He insisted everything he has said about his involvement has been true and challenged anyone to dispute it.
The White-Hearn rivalry has simmered for years, dating back to when White first announced his ambitions in boxing and Hearn predicted it would go poorly. The back and forth has escalated as Zuffa Boxing has grown, with Hearn repeatedly poking at White and White firing back harder each time.
With Joshua vs. Fury now firmly in White's promotional orbit, the dynamic has shifted. Hearn, who has promoted Joshua for much of his career, is on the outside looking in on the biggest heavyweight fight in British boxing history.
This is what happens when the biggest promoter in combat sports decides he wants your biggest fighter's biggest fight. Hearn can talk about contracts all he wants, but the Joshua-Fury fight is happening under the Zuffa Boxing banner, and there's nothing he can do about it.
I've watched this rivalry for a while now, and Hearn keeps making the same mistake: engaging with White on White's terms. Dana thrives on this kind of beef. Every time Hearn goes on a podcast to complain, White gets more free press for the fight he's already promoting.
The smart play for Hearn would be to shut up, focus on his own stable, and let the results speak. But he can't help himself, and White knows it. This fight is going to be massive regardless of who's mad about it.
KEEP TALKING FIGHTS.
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