Fury v Joshua: Hearn insists contract won't be signed on Monday despite 'deadline'

WBC champion issues deadline for deal to be completed but Matchroom CEO believes its unreasonable, with more meetings scheduled

Anthony Joshua (right) and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn during the Ukrainian national anthem, prior to the World Heavyweight Championship WBA Super IBF, IBO and WBO fight against Oleksandr Usyk at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Picture date: Saturday August 20, 2022.Show less

Promoter Eddie Hearn said there is no way the contract for a heavyweight mega-fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will be signed by Monday.

In a video posted on Saturday night to the Twitter account of Queensberry Promotions, Fury's UK promoters, the WBC world champion issued a deadline for the deal to be signed.

"I was optimistic about three weeks ago but it shouldn't be taking this long to sign a contract," Fury, 34, said. "We'll know by Monday anyway because if it's not done by Monday then I'm moving on.

"I'm not waiting around for some guy who's lost three of his last five fights. He's lucky that I'm giving him a world title shot. He is an invited guest at my party - my rules. So, if you want to play the game, come to the banquet and take your seat."

Frank Warren, the head of Queensberry Promotions, is confident the fight will go-ahead, telling BT Sport: "There is a meeting taking place on Monday and I am hoping that is going to resolve what I feel is just a few outstanding issues, not for us, but it seems for them. Let's hope they are good as their word and they don't duck out of it."

Hearn has issued a response to Fury's comments, insisting the fighter is being unreasonable with his deadline demands, particularly as meetings are planned for Monday to iron out some of the details in the contract.

"Tyson Fury has no intention of taking this fight if that's the route he wants to take," Hearn told iFLTV. "Tyson Fury has said he's retired, said he's giving his money to the homeless, now he's said he's walking away from the fight if we don't sign on Monday. Well, guess what? We ain't signing on Monday, because we're having a meeting on Monday to discuss numerous points within the contract.

"This is the process. We waited nine days for the contract and we've been working very hard with Queensbury. No one's been messing around, and we've got meetings - with BT, DAZN, Queensbury - to go through the process and get this done. Bu it ain't happening on Monday."

Oleksandr Usyk after retaining his world heavyweight titles in a split decision against Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PA

Oleksandr Usyk celebrates winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk after winning in Jeddah. PA

Oleksandr Usyk reacts after his victory. PA

Anthony Joshua speaks to the crowd following his defeat against Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah. Getty

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk touch gloves at the end of the fight. PA

Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with his belts and his team. Getty

Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after retaining his world heavyweight titles. PA

Anthony Joshua looks angry. Getty

Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with the flag of Ukraine. Getty

Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images

Anthony Joshua on the front foot against Oleksandr Usyk. PA

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk trade punches. Getty

Anthony Joshua evades a right. Getty

Oleksandr Usyk after receiving a low blow. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk lands a right on Anthony Joshua. Getty

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in action at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah. PA

The ring is cleaned between rounds. Reuters

Anthony Joshua evades a punch from Oleksandr Usyk. Getty

Anthony Joshua with a body shot. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk throws a right. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk in action against Anthony Joshua. Action Images

Anthony Joshua made a low-key entrance at King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah. Getty

Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn before the fight. PA

Fury offered Joshua a 'Battle of Britain' fight shortly after his rematch defeat to WBO, IBF and WBA champion Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia last month. The possibility of an undisputed showdown between Fury and Usyk has been put on hold until next year after the Ukrainian said he will not fight again until early 2023.

Hearn, however, is skeptical that Fury even wants to fight Joshua.

Addressing Fury, the Matchroom CEO said: "If you're true to your word - which you never are - walk away from the fight if you don't want it. It's a joke, so don't waste our time, because we've spent a lot of time on this fight already - phone calls, Zoom calls, meetings, and we've got more on Monday.

"It's ridiculous, and by the way, Queensbury will know its ridiculous because we have a meeting on Monday to talk about things in the contract. I don't think Queensbury and Tyson are on the same page. They can't be, unless everyone's just winding us up, messing us about and wasting our time."

Tyson Fury celebrates with his belts after beating Dillian Whyte by sixth-round stoppage. AP

Tyson Fury celebrates his knockout win over Dillian Whyte to retain his WBC heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, April 23, 2022 as referee Mark Lyson supports Whyte on the ropes. Reuters

Tyson Fury celebrates with his wife Paris, right, and trainer SugarHill Steward. AP

Tyson Fury knocks down Dillian Whyte during their WBC heavyweight title fight. AP

Tyson Fury celebrates after knocking down Dillian Whyte during their WBC heavyweight title fight. PA

Dillian Whyte is surrounded by his team after his defeat to Tyson Fury at Wembley Stadium. PA

Tyson Fury throws a jab at Dillian Whyte. AP

Tyson Fury lands a right cross on Dillian Whyte during their WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty

Tyson Fury lands a body punch on Dillian Whyte during the WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty

Dillian Whyte lands a reaching cross on Tyson Fury during their WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty

Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte exchange punches during their WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty

Tyson Fury during his ring walk ahead of his WBC heavyweight title fight against Dillian Whyte. PA

Fireworks are set off during Tyson Fury's ring walk for his WBC heavyweight title boxing fight against Dillian Whyte. AP

Tyson Fury sits on a throne during his ring walk to face Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium. Getty

Tyson Fury pumps his arms to the crowd during his ring walk to fight Dillian Whyte. Getty

Tyson Fury soaks up the cheers from the crowd during his ring walk ahead of his fight against Dillian Whyte. Reuters