In a surprising turn of events, UFC President Dana White revealed in a recent interview with content creator Nina Drama that his new boxing venture, Zuffa Boxing, will be taking the reins to promote the upcoming heavyweight bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. This announcement was made shortly before the UFC 328 event.
White’s expansion into the boxing world with Zuffa has been gaining momentum. Earlier this year, the promotion was reportedly linked to Fury’s comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov on Netflix, which was seen as a precursor to this major event. White had previously hinted at significant developments following his Zuffa Boxing 2 event, and his confirmation of a promotional role in the Fury-Joshua fight via Drama’s livestream solidifies his deep involvement.
The highly anticipated matchup between Fury and Joshua has been a long time coming, marked by numerous failed negotiations and preliminary bouts for both fighters. Tyson Fury has secured victories against formidable opponents like Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora, while Anthony Joshua has defeated Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou, despite recent setbacks against Oleksandr Usyk. Recent reports indicate that both fighters have signed agreements for a fight in the fourth quarter of 2026, with November being the likely month, and Netflix set to broadcast the event. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s long-standing promoter, has confirmed this timeline following Joshua’s planned July return fight.
While Wembley Stadium is a strong contender for the venue, no official location has been finalized. Although past promotional efforts have been led by Hearn’s Matchroom and Fury’s team, White’s involvement through Zuffa adds a new dynamic to the situation. It’s worth noting that Anthony Joshua had previously turned down an offer from White, choosing to remain with Hearn. Zuffa has already made a significant move in the boxing sphere by signing Conor Benn for a fight, taking him from Hearn.
The news has generated considerable excitement and speculation across social media platforms. The announcement clip shared by ChampRDS on X has garnered widespread attention, with reactions ranging from enthusiastic anticipation to skepticism. White’s previous substantial offers in the boxing world, including a reported $500 million bid for Joshua years ago, lend credibility to his current involvement. While official fight dates and finalized contracts are still pending, the fourth-quarter timeline aligns with earlier rumors.
The boxing community is closely monitoring these developments. Both Tyson Fury, seeking to cement his legacy following his losses to Usyk, and Anthony Joshua, in the process of rebuilding his career after recovering from a road accident, have significant stakes in this fight. Dana White’s participation could translate into UFC-style production values and financial packages. If this event materializes as planned, it is expected to draw massive stadium crowds and set new streaming records.
