White blasts Hearn over Fury-Joshua and claims there is ‘no fight’

With the dispute over a location rumbling on, hope of the contest fight fans have craved for years taking place is fading fast.

Matchroom supremo Hearn insists Joshua wants to honour the contract he signed for the bout to be staged in the UK, while 38-year-old Fury has claimed he is looking for a new opponent.

And White, who has agitated Hearn by claiming he will promote the event should it happen, has doubled down on criticism of his rival.

Speaking to iFL TV ahead of Conor Benn’s shot at WBC champ Ryan Garcia, the Zuffa Boxing chief said: “I don’t know what else to say about this whole thing.

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“I’ve never seen a guy who’s supposed to be the promoter of an event hurt a fight more than this guy has. It’s pretty fascinating actually.

“It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.”

Asked whether he is the promoter of Fury-Joshua, White responded: “There is no fight. [If it happens] it’ll be me.

“There’s no fight. This guy continues to hurt this fight, which is the weirdest thing that I’ve ever seen.

“Normally, what you do if you’re the promoter and you’re the guy who’s guiding his fighter, you go where the money is and you try to make your guy as much money as you can.

“That has definitely not been the case with this fight. Listen, whether this fight happens or not, my life goes on and I’m gonna do just fine.”

Earlier this week, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith insisted Joshua, 36, had no intention of not fighting Fury.

He said: “I’m confident it will happen. I’m confident we will get there with it.

“If it doesn’t happen, all I can say is it’s not down to Joshua, because Joshua is ready and willing to fight.

“If two parties enter into a contract, both sides have got an obligation to deliver upon it.

“So Joshua has an obligation to turn up to a venue in the UK to fight Fury this year, by the end of December."

Sadly, it appears there is a good chance we may never see two British heavyweight greats settle their differences in the ring.

Watch Garcia vs. Benn 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 and other territories (check for availability) on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.

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