White recently claimed his team completed the television and venue deals. Hearn rejected that account because no arena agreement exists and Joshua’s signed contract requires the fight to be staged in Britain.
“You didn’t do the venue deal because there’s no agreement on the venue, mate,” Hearn told iFL TV. “How can you? I should be suing Dana White for even going to MSG and having those conversations.”
Hearn believes Nick Khan handled much of the work attributed to White. Khan may have participated in discussions with Netflix and MSG on behalf of Alalshikh, but that does not give White control of the promotion.
The existing contract gives Hearn leverage. Matchroom and Joshua have no reason to withdraw because their agreement already specifies Britain. If the organizers insist on New York, they need Joshua’s signature on the changes.
No amendment has been agreed. Moving the event to New York changes Joshua’s tax position, travel schedule, media duties, and other contractual details. Matchroom wants substantial compensation and further concessions before approving the switch.
TKO’s involvement faces similar resistance. Hearn claims its representatives are asking through Alalshikh’s team for permission to participate. He wants an explanation of how TKO would benefit Joshua, Matchroom, or fighters placed on the undercard.
Hearn compared the request to Matchroom demanding the right to promote WWE’s Royal Rumble. His point was that TKO has no automatic entitlement to join an event governed by contracts negotiated without it.
Fury and Joshua have signed to fight, so the matchup remains alive. The unresolved issue is the location and the price the organizers must pay to move it from Britain.
MSG is their preferred venue, not a completed agreement. Any New York announcement made without Joshua’s approval will receive an immediate public rejection from Matchroom.
