Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has teased a forthcoming 'massive announcement' alongside UFC President Dana White, igniting speculation about the future of boxing promotion and his highly anticipated bout with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua. Fury made the comments during an interview at the UFC's 'White House' show in the United States, an event celebrating 250 years of American independence.
When questioned by UFC broadcaster Jon Anik about a potential announcement involving White, the 37-year-old Fury stated, "I think I'm going to let Dana do the speaking, but it is a massive, massive announcement." He further suggested a "100% potential" for White to be involved in promoting his long-discussed fight against Joshua, which is currently targeted for late 2026. This assertion, however, has previously been disputed by both Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn and Fury's promoter Frank Warren.
The potential collaboration centres around Zuffa Boxing, an organisation founded by White and supported by Saudi Arabian funding, which aims to become a significant rival to established boxing promoters. Zuffa Boxing made headlines earlier this year by signing British welterweight Conor Benn from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable in February, and has since added other notable boxers, including IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia. The addition of a figure as prominent as Fury would undoubtedly mark Zuffa's most significant signing to date.
Fury, who has held two reigns as heavyweight world champion, boasts a professional record of 35 wins, two defeats (both against Oleksandr Usyk), and one draw with Deontay Wilder. His return from retirement in April saw him secure a victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov, and he has indicated another 'potential fight in August' before any clash with Joshua. Likewise, Anthony Joshua, 36, is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on 25th July in Saudi Arabia, a bout he must win to keep the prospect of a Fury fight alive.
The implications of White's deeper involvement in boxing, particularly with a figure like Fury, are considerable. White has previously expressed a desire to amend the Muhammad Ali Act, a 2000 US law designed to safeguard boxers' rights and prevent monopolies. Changes to this legislation could potentially enable Zuffa to establish its own world championship titles and reduce its reliance on existing sanctioning bodies, thereby reshaping the landscape of professional boxing promotion.
The ongoing rivalry between White and established promoters like Hearn and Warren adds another layer of intrigue. Warren had reportedly been considering legal action over the launch of Zuffa Boxing in February, highlighting the competitive tension within the sport's promotional sphere.
Source: BBC Sport