Bellew hits out at Hearn over possible US staging
Tony Bellew has called out Eddie Hearn over potential plans to stage Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury in America, claiming its a "disgrace" and "no one cares" in the US. The fight between the two British heavyweights has been a decade in the making and, provided both men come through their fights this week, is set to take place in the coming months. But given the interest and the powerbrokers involved, there is doubt over whether the fight would actually be held in the UK. That would be a blow to British fans and, when Hearn talked up the desire to have it in America, Bellew underlined the fact that the biggest number of pay-per-view buys will likely be in the UK.
The Matchroom boss, also Joshua's promoter, said:
“These people want the fight to be in the US, that's the reality of the situation”
which led to a frustrated rant from ex-professional boxer Bellew.
He said on DAZN:
“American boxing is dead, no one cares. No one cares in America. It's disgraceful, what are we going there for?”
The former cruiserweight champion continued:
“I'm just sick of it, we're appealing to America - why? America doesn't care about us. When have America cared about boxing? They want what we've got. We've got the best crowds in the world, the most passionate fans in the world, and that's why it should be with us. "These are the two stalwarts of British boxing, these two have put boxing back on the map, no one cares in America. No one's cared in American since Evander Holyfield retired and Mike Tyson left, no one cares, so why do we need it there? New York and Madison Square Gardens, that's great, go and watch the Knicks.”
Hearn said on Friday night that Madison Square Garden in New York is the preferred choice of Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh, WWE president and TKO board member Nick Khan, as well as streaming service Netflix. Speaking to The Athletic at the weigh-in of Joshua’s fight against Kristian Prenga, Hearn said:
“They’ve had a decent offer from MSG. And time zones as well; I think the aim would be to do it at three o’clock in the morning UK time, which would be 10pm in the U.S. (Eastern Time)”
If Joshua emerges victorious from his fight in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Hearn says there is a possibility that the fight with Fury could be officially announced. The contract that Joshua has signed stipulates that the fight must be held in the UK but Hearn claimed
“quite a few bits in the contract that haven’t been adhered to. They’re not necessarily material breaches, but where the fight is, is a material breach.”
