Dana White’s name draws boos at Fury–Joshua launch as role dispute continues

Dana White’s name drew boos at the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua press conference in London on September 30, bringing his dispute with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn into the fight’s public launch. The UFC chief was absent, but his promotional involvement remains contested ahead of the scheduled December 11 bout in Cardiff.

The reaction came when fight financier Turki Alalshikh thanked White from the stage. Hearn smiled as the boos sounded, according to MMA Fighting and BoxingInsider. White had attributed his absence to his Contender Series commitment in Las Vegas; Hearn subsequently said he had not been permitted to attend.

What happened when Dana White’s name was mentioned

BoxingInsider reports that Michael Buffer did not include White among the parties he introduced at the launch. Alalshikh then acknowledged him separately. MMA Fighting transcribed his words as: “A big thanks to my brother, who is suddenly not here today, Dana White.”

Alalshikh also joked that Hearn should not watch Braveheart so much. He thanked TKO Group Holdings and Nick Khan, who attended the launch. BoxingInsider identifies Khan as WWE president and a TKO board member, and reports that he sat beside Alalshikh.

Why the Eddie Hearn–Dana White dispute matters

The context is a public disagreement over who can promote Fury versus Joshua. Hearn has repeatedly opposed White’s participation. White has repeatedly maintained that he is involved. The reporting documents the audience’s reaction, but does not establish why each person booed or how widely that view is shared beyond the room.

Their rivalry extends beyond this event. MMA Fighting reports that White’s move into boxing through Zuffa Boxing, including the signing of longtime Hearn fighter Conor Benn, intensified their conflict during 2026. The argument over Fury–Joshua also included where the fight would take place.

In a September 24 iFL TV interview quoted by MMA Fighting, Hearn said: “Dana White cannot be involved with this fight.” He maintained that his contractual position excluded White and said his discussions were with Sela and Alalshikh.

Hearn also challenged the broadcaster’s description of White’s participation, saying: “Netflix clearly didn’t get the memo.” Those remarks establish Hearn’s position; they do not independently establish the terms of the underlying contracts.

What White and Hearn said about his absence

Speaking after Contender Series in Las Vegas on Tuesday, September 29, White told reporters: “There’s no confusion whatsoever.” He insisted that the arrangement was settled and characterised the obstacles as a “Total ego thing,” according to MMA Fighting.

Asked whether he would attend the London press conference, White said: “I would have been there if I didn’t have the Contender.” His explanation was a scheduling commitment, alongside his continued insistence that he had a role in the promotion.

Hearn offered a different account after the launch. “So the reason Dana didn’t come today is because he was not permitted today,” he told The Stomping Ground, as quoted by BoxingInsider. He also claimed that involvement by White and others required his permission under the contract.

Neither account settles the contractual question independently. White’s absence is confirmed, but it does not establish his exclusion from the December event. Equally, Khan’s presence at the launch does not establish what responsibilities White, TKO or Zuffa Boxing will have.

What Netflix says about Fury–Joshua

Netflix’s event page, updated September 30, says Alalshikh’s The Ring and White will collaborate to promote the fight. That is the broadcaster’s public description of the arrangement, which remains at odds with Hearn’s stated position. It is not a published account of the fighters’ contract terms.

The fight is scheduled for Friday, December 11, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Netflix says it will stream globally to members without an additional charge. Fury and Joshua, both former heavyweight champions, have never fought professionally, according to the broadcaster.

Netflix says the undercard participants will be announced later, with the full card and start-time updates still to come. White’s eventual attendance and precise promotional responsibilities also remain unresolved in the public accounts, despite the launch going ahead.