The blockbuster boxing match between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is in jeopardy. Following months of negotiations, it was announced that Fury and Joshua were set to meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday, December 11, after Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn secured staging the bout in the UK. However, the event is on the verge of collapsing over a dispute involving Dana White.
Mannix claims that Joshua and Hearn have a contract stipulation stating that White’s boxing promotion company, Zuffa Boxing, cannot be involved in the event. Hearn revealed that despite the announcement, there were still other issues to be ironed out regarding White’s inclusion.
Potential Replacements and Alternative Matchups
If Joshua backs out, show-stopping changes could be made. According to Mike Coppinger, David Benavidez could potentially step in for Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury, though it would carry a significant size and weight advantage for the Gypsy King over Benavidez.
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Another option being considered is a fight between Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia. Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger reported that the original bout could be called off and Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua could be called off due to issues, according to sources, and a replacement fight between Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia is being considered.
Fighter Backgrounds and Next Steps
Terence Crawford last fought in September 2025 when he defeated Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed super-middleweight champion, before retiring from boxing three months later. Ryan Garcia is the current WBC welterweight champion, having defended his belt with a second-round knockout over Conor Benn, and has been involved in a war of words with Crawford throughout 2026. The potential money and a headline fight against Garcia could possibly persuade Crawford out of retirement.
Alalshikh now faces the task of working through the complications of the event. While many regard the update as the latest gamesmanship in a messy behind-the-scenes situation, the issues and how they might lead to a cancellation remain to be resolved.
