During an interview on Saturday, Hearn became angry at Gareth A. Davies for arguing that Joshua should simply accept the US fight.
“You get idiots like Gareth A. Davies going, ‘Oh, just sign a contract. Just go to America.’ It’s like, shut up. We’re getting less money than we’re supposed to, to be now going to America. You’re changing all these other terms. There’s been lots of breaches already to the contract that we’re not happy about, but we’ve let slide,” said Hearn to DAZN Boxing.
He continued attacking Davies for urging Joshua to take reduced pay, a different workplace, and additional duties after signing a contract containing specific terms.
That frustration explains why Matchroom has continued resisting the New York plan despite pressure from Fury and others involved in the event. Joshua cannot pull out because he has already signed, Hearn says, while the fight can only collapse if the other side refuses to honor the contract.
Those alleged breaches are not limited to the venue change. Hearn said Fury had obligations connected to Joshua’s agreement that had not been completed, although he refused to reveal what Fury was required to do.
Terms for an American event have already been submitted by Matchroom. Hearn admitted Joshua may go to New York if those changes are approved, but his preferred outcome remains a British stadium event before approximately 100,000 fans.
Time is running short because Netflix needs to promote the event and both fighters must begin camp. Madison Square Garden may also release its date and book something else if an agreement is not reached.
Hearn offered more hope for Wembley than the DAZN interviewer anticipated. Asked to place a percentage on the fight happening there, he gave a quick answer that seemed to catch the interviewer by surprise.
“What’s the percentage chance this fight happens at Wembley?” Hearn was asked. “50-50,” he replied.
In Hearn’s view, the dispute has increased public interest in the fight. A late decision to return it to Wembley would produce the reaction in Britain that he believes New York cannot match.
