Hearn Calls White Absence One of Boxing’s ‘Greatest PR Disasters’

Promoter Eddie Hearn branded Dana White’s absence from Wednesday’s Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua press conference in London “one of the greatest PR disasters in boxing,” after the UFC CEO stayed in Las Vegas rather than appearing at the opening event for the Dec. 11 fight in Cardiff, England.

The remarks extend a months-long dispute over White’s claimed co-promotion role for the heavyweight matchup, and Hearn’s tone made clear he believes the promotional fight was settled before Fury and Joshua have thrown a punch.

Fury and Joshua faced off for the first time on Wednesday following the London press conference, with major players involved in the event present except White. White had previously been touted as a co-promoter, but Hearn maintained that contractually that could not happen unless he allowed it.

“It’s a load of bollocks,” Hearn told The Stomping Ground. He said Turki Alalshikh is partners with White and Nick Khan and wants them involved, but “contractually they can’t be unless I allow them to be [involved].”

Hearn said White and his camp “played it all wrong” and that the past seven days had become one of the greatest PR disasters in boxing. “I don’t even have to go in on them,” he said.

Hearn outlined what he said would have been a better approach: acknowledge the contract prevents involvement, then meet with Hearn and Alalshikh to discuss it. “If you can tell me a reason that I should allow these people into the fight and it benefits Anthony Joshua and Matchroom, let’s chat,” he said.

He also challenged White’s earlier public claims that he was promoting the event, knew where it would take place, expected it to happen in America, and had signed a venue contract. “None of that materialized. You were wrong,” Hearn said.

White said Tuesday night on The Contender Series that he would not attend because of his appearance at fights in Las Vegas. Hearn dismissed that explanation, saying White could have taken a private jet to London, where the press conference began at 7 p.m., and “would have made it easy.”

“Don’t think you can come and bulldoze me and us,” Hearn said. “So the reason Dana didn’t come today is because he was not permitted today.” He added: “It’s embarrassing.”

Hearn closed by saying the promotional battle was won and he was ready to move on to the business of boxing, with the fight still set for Dec. 11 in Cardiff.