The long-awaited heavyweight super-fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is reportedly set to take place on November 20 at Madison Square Garden. However, according to Sport RBC.UA citing BoxingScene, the Matchroom Boxing promotion company, led by Eddie Hearn, has not merely agreed to Saudi financing—they have prepared a list of strict requirements for the organizers, without which the deal will not be finalized. In essence, this is an ultimatum: either the conditions are accepted, or the negotiations will collapse.

Main Condition: Rejection of Zuffa Boxing

According to sources, Matchroom Boxing will submit an official addendum to the agreement with the Saudi entertainment company Sela. The key, and effectively blocking, point is a categorical refusal to involve the new company Zuffa Boxing in the promotion of this event, which is led by UFC President Dana White and Turki Al-Sheikh. Thus, the only acceptable option for the promoter remains Sela directly. This requirement reflects Matchroom's desire to retain full control over the sale of rights and marketing of one of the year's most lucrative fights, preventing a powerful competitor linked to UFC from entering the arena.

Financial Demands to the Saudi Side

In addition to organizational points regarding tickets, security, and logistics, Matchroom demands payment of the remainder of Anthony Joshua's purse for the knockout of Christian Prince in the second round of the fight held on July 25 in Saudi Arabia. Simultaneously, the promoter raises financial issues with Sela regarding other sports and past boxing events: this includes the immediate payment of all funds owed to Matchroom for future darts and snooker tournaments, as well as payment of international promoter commissions and deposits for the World Series of Darts and 167 Riyadh Season events, and the full settlement of debts from previous boxing evenings. In other words, Hearn is using the leverage of the mega-fight to balance the entire accumulated financial account.

Fight Card for the Evening at Madison Square Garden

If the parties reach an agreement, the same evening on November 20 at Madison Square Garden could feature a powerful series of fights from Matchroom. Three-division champion Jessie "Bam" Rodriguez could face WBC titleholder Christian Medina from Mexico in a lightweight unification bout. A fight for the WBA super-middleweight title could be held between Englishman Jack Catterall and American Keyshawn Davis. Another championship bout could take place in the heavyweight division for the WBA belt—Murat Gassiev against Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller. Additionally, the fight card could include Australian heavyweight Teremoana Jr. and British boxer Odel Kamara.

Contradictory Data

There is a certain discrepancy in public formulations that is important to note. On one hand, the venue is named as Madison Square Garden in New York, emphasizing the American location of the event. On the other hand, all financial and organizational conditions are being presented by the Saudi company Sela, and the list of demands includes debts related to Riyadh Season and tournaments taking place in Saudi Arabia. That is, the promotion and financing are tied to the Saudi side, while the fight itself, according to the data, will take place in the USA. Furthermore, the date of November 20 and the composition of the fight card are currently data provided by the promoter Matchroom and have not been officially confirmed by the boxers themselves or the Saudi organizers in the form of a signed agreement. Therefore, until documents are signed, all listed details remain working, not final.

Prospects and Deadlines

The outcome of the negotiations will largely determine whether the mega-fight will take place within the stated framework. If Sela accepts the package of requirements from Matchroom—including the rejection of Zuffa and the settlement of debts—the evening of November 20 at Madison Square Garden could turn into one of the largest boxing events of the year with a full fight card of championship bouts. In the event of a failure of negotiations, the date and venue may be reconsidered, and the deal may be frozen. The coming weeks, it seems, will be decisive for one of the most anticipated meetings in the heavyweight division.