Eddie Hearn says Dana White obtained ‘slapped’ by Turki Alalshikh on two separate events, and the UFC boss is now performing like a sore-bottomed worker. Talking in New York earlier than the Ennis vs. Zayas boxing combat, Hearn didn’t mince phrases about White’s try to assert he was selling the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury showdown.
Zuffa Scrubbed Dana White’s Promoter Claims After Turki’s Slap, Says Eddie Hearn
“After the Bournemouth present [White] went up [at the press conference], when he was getting all zasty, and principally Zuffa posted all of his feedback [about Joshua-Fury],” Hearn said, “He obtained his bum smacked by Turki Alalshikh and so they needed to delete all of their messages about him saying he’s selling the occasion. So embarrassing.”
That was bum slap primary. Zuffa’s social workforce scrubbed White’s claims in a single day. Then got here the second slap. Hearn pointed to Fury’s journey to Washington, D.C., for a UFC occasion on the White Home. “Dana White desires to come back out and say he’s selling Tyson Fury,” Hearn mentioned. “Subsequent factor, bum slap. Then abruptly [Fury] is posting that ‘my promoter is Turki Alalshikh’.”
Fury’s personal tweet confirmed the shift. “After the Bournemouth press convention,” Hearn continued, “the bum is sore, the bum is uncooked.” He didn’t cease there. “On the finish of the day, Dana White has obtained to do no matter Turki Alalshikh tells him to do as a result of, guess what, Turki Alalshikh, Sela, Saudis, they personal Zuffa Boxing. So, Dana is simply an worker, he’s obtained to do what he’s informed.” Hearn added, “[White’s] head has fallen off, he can’t cope with this type of stuff. Honest play to Dana, he’s a competitor; he’s very cussed; he’ll attempt to discover a means now to get entangled.”
White’s declare that he knew the date, location, and can be the promoter got here after Zuffa Boxing’s Bournemouth present on June 6. However nothing’s locked but. Joshua should clear his July 25 bout with Kristian Prenga. Fury’s warm-up combat isn’t set. The Joshua-Fury date and venue stay up within the air. Netflix could have an enormous say on timing. And there’s a twist: DAZN has unique broadcast offers with each Queensberry and Matchroom, so neither can promote a Netflix occasion. One other blocker: each Joshua and Fury’s contracts say Zuffa can’t be the lead promoter.
Hearn’s stance on the U.S. location is evident. “If you wish to do a brand new deal, sure, we’re open to presents,” he mentioned. “However I do know what it says in our [existing] deal. We’ll speak to Turki Alalshikh and see what he desires to do.” Joshua’s contract at present requires the combat to occur within the UK. “For the Joshua-Fury combat to occur in America… his cost’s contract should be renegotiated,” Hearn defined.
White tried to pivot after the D.C. occasion. He was photographed with Zuffa’s CEO on the White Home, and an alliance with Fury was teased. The following day, Fury declared Alalshikh was his promoter. Hearn referred to as the White Home occasion “unbelievable,” however dunked on White’s promotional declare anyway.
The Joshua-Fury combat continues to be dominated by headlines, however the sensible issues stack up. No date, no venue, no Netflix deal, and Zuffa barred from main. Hearn’s message is blunt: White doesn’t run this. Turki Alalshikh does. “Dana is simply an worker,” Hearn added. “He’s obtained to do what he’s informed.” [H/t BoxingScene]
