Boxing
Hearn says a legal letter has been sent to TKO regarding Joshua-Fury fight
Garcia vs Benn live on DAZN PPV - September 12
There's a new twist in the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury fight saga. And it appears a legal route has been taken.
Joshua's promoter at Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, told DAZN after Katie Taylor's farewell victory over Flora Pili in front of over 80,000 people at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, live on DAZN, that a legal letter has been sent to TKO, the company that helps run Zuffa Boxing, for allegedly reaching out Joshua and offering him an undisclosed amount of money to face Fury in America on November 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
"Yesterday (Friday), TKO went around the back again to try and offer Joshua money to do the fight in America," Hearn told DAZN. "It's a dirty, dirty game, mate, to be honest with you. It's made it even harder for them now because Joshua ain't about that. [TKO said] 'You've got an hour and a half to make your decision'.
(Joshua said) 'Like, mate, what don't you understand? I signed to fight in Britain. I want the fight in Britain'. "You can't buy everybody.
"Now, because of what they've said, they're so desperate. They're panicking. And they're doing silly things like that. And they're going to get in trouble."
DAZN News reached out to a TKO representative in two different ways of communication for comment. A response hasn't been received at this time of writing.
Dana White, who is the President of the UFC and Zuffa Boxing, has said that they have helped book MSG and secure the broadcaster for the proposed fight, Netflix. DAZN News has previously written that Joshua has it stipulated in his contract that TKO and White are to have nothing to do with the bout if it crosses the line.
Hearn believes TKO and White have impeded Joshua-Fury from being made.
"If they (TKO) had never gotten involved in the first place, the fight would already be announced and signed," Hearn said. "They are the ones that are trying to bring this fight to America. They are the ones that are basically saying to British fight fans, 'We don't give a fuck. We don't care about British fight fans. We want to do the fight in America. That's where we're from'.
"Now, because of what they've said, they're so desperate. They're panicking. And they're doing silly things like that. And they're going to get in trouble."
DAZN asked Hearn if action will be taken, and he quickly responded.
"Of course. We've already written to them," Hearn said. "But it's like, 'What (are) you doing? You're supposed to be on the New York Stock Exchange. What is this? Like just coming around the back and trying to bank someone a few quid?'
"C'mon. It doesn't got to be like that. But it's pushing the fight farther away because of their behavior."
DAZN News will update the article if we receive an update from TKO or Zuffa Boxing.
Watch Garcia vs. Benn in the UK only on DAZN
Britain's Conor Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time against US superstar Ryan Garcia on Saturday, September 12. Watch the fight exclusively in the UK & Ireland on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.
