Fury-Joshua fight is signed and no one can stop it, says promoter Hearn

The highly anticipated heavyweight boxing showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is definitely happening, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. Hearn pushed back firmly against claims by Fury on Friday that the fight was unlikely to take place, insisting the contract is already signed and binding.

'No-one can pull out of this fight'

"We've signed the contract, we're waiting for a date," Hearn told reporters. "There's nothing to shout and scream about, the fight's done. No-one can pull out of the fight. You can't just pull out of a contract. There's no suggestion that the fight's not happening — the only way it can stop from happening is if they actually breach the contract."

Venue dispute between UK and US

A location disagreement remains unresolved: Joshua and Hearn want the fight held in the United Kingdom, while Saudi Arabia's Sela sports group — which has separate contracts with both fighters — is pushing for New York's Madison Square Garden. The fight would be broadcast on Netflix and a US venue is said to cater better to the American audience.

"We know everybody and his dog involved in the fight wants to do the fight in America. We don't," Hearn said. "If you want to do it in America, these are the terms we can move forward with — but we'd rather not." The fight is expected to take place in November in what would be one of the biggest bouts in British boxing history.