British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury claimed on Friday that his scheduled December 11 bout against domestic rival Anthony Joshua has been thrown into jeopardy, according to a video posted on social media. The former world heavyweight champion alleged that Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn are actively attempting to pull out of the long-awaited contest. The claim came barely 24 hours after organizers formally announced the showdown.
The sudden accusation clouds months of complex negotiations.
Promoter Turki Alalshikh and streaming platform Netflix had officially confirmed the match on Thursday, booking Cardiff`s Principality Stadium for an all-British battle for the WBA Super heavyweight championship. The 80,000-seat Welsh venue, known for hosting European Champions League and FA Cup finals, was chosen after alternative proposals in London and New York were set aside. The confirmation was intended to allow both camps to finalize their training schedules for global broadcast distribution.
Fury alleged in his video statement that Joshua and Hearn are stating they will not proceed with the agreed bout. Joshua`s management and Matchroom Boxing did not issue an immediate public reply to the claims.
The 37-year-old Fury last competed in July, stopping 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Thailand. Joshua, 36, recovered from two opening-round knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga two months ago in his most recent appearance.
