Hearn revealed in a post-fight interview Saturday night that the UK clause was included at Joshua’s request. He also claimed people have contacted the former heavyweight champion directly in an attempt to change his mind.
“He’s under pressure because people are phoning him around the back. ‘Come on.’ And he said, ‘No, no, speak to Eddie.’ It’s like, ‘No, I want the fight in Britain. Guys, I’ve got to tell you, that’s what I signed for. That’s what I want.’ And he’s standing firm,” said Hearn to talkSPORT Boxing.
Standing firm only works if Sela eventually gives in. Should the organizers refuse, Joshua needs another opponent ready. Hearn says there is “absolutely no interest” in an interim fight because Joshua already took a warm-up against Kristian Prenga and was dropped twice in the first round.
Such a position leaves Joshua completely dependent on the Fury negotiations. Hearn says Matchroom sent its addendum to Sela several days ago and has not received a response. He also admitted that time is running short.
Joshua has a legitimate contractual argument, but Sela controls the funding for the event. Refusing to stage the fight in Britain would mean enforcing the venue clause may kill the contest rather than bring it to Wembley.
Winning the dispute would not give Joshua the Fury fight, the payday or the chance to repair the damage from being dropped twice by Kristian Prenga. A contract can establish which side is responsible, but it cannot force Sela to finance an event it no longer wants. Joshua needs to decide how much he is prepared to lose to remain contractually right.
