Fury Joshua face-to-face: Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will meet face-to-face for the first time at a launch press conference for their long-awaited bout on Wednesday. The two sides have now resolved issues including Fury enrolling in VADA drug testing.
Fury and Joshua announced their long-overdue heavyweight clash last Thursday. It will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11, live on Netflix.
However, just a day later, reports suggested the fight was reportedly in jeopardy. The Ring’s Mike Coppinger cited unspecified “issues.”
Upon the fight announcement, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn threw Wednesday’s scheduled first meeting into fresh doubt.
Hearn cited issues such as Netflix’s inclusion of Zuffa Boxing head Dana White into the press release. He has repeatedly insisted that White can have no involvement in the fight.
White not at Fury Joshua press conference
White failed to clarify the status of the press conference when quizzed by reporters including Pro Boxing Fans on Saturday. The UFC boss was in London to witness recent signing Johnny Fisher’s victory over Michael Pirotton.
In fact, White angrily responded to questions over his involvement in the bout. But he did confirm he did not do the deal for the bout to take place in Cardiff, after previously revealing he had agreed the deal for the venue.
White, Saudi Arabia’s Sela and Netflix were all pushing for the bout to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York, a deal which the American promoter did in fact arrange.
However, Hearn held firm on the bout being staged in the UK, per the contract Joshua signed for in April.
It is understood that White will not be in attendance at Wednesday’s Fury Joshua press conference.
Fury drug testing
Fury’s VADA status provided another stumbling block, with the former heavyweight champion apparently not enrolled in the testing programme.
Hearn said earlier this month that Joshua’s contract – which was different to Fury’s – required him to enter testing as soon as he signed, while his rival’s did not call for this.
Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown has since confirmed that the Morecambe man has enrolled.
Organisers will now hold Wednesday’s press conference at the British Airways ARC in London at 6pm BST.
Fury jetted into the UK from his Miami training camp on Tuesday, while reports suggest Joshua is travelling to the capital from Dubai.
The winner of the December 11 bout will become a three-time heavyweight world champion with the WBA ‘super’ heavyweight title set to be at stake.
