Frank Warren, the founder of Queensberry Promotions, has dismissed claims that Dana White and Zuffa Boxing will have any promotional involvement in a future clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The veteran promoter’s comments follow a series of public teases from Fury, who recently hinted at a major partnership with the UFC president during a visit to Washington D.C.
While the “Gypsy King” suggested a “massive announcement” was imminent, Warren insists that existing contractual obligations firmly shut the door on White’s involvement as a lead promoter for the heavyweight superfight.
The speculation peaked on June 15, 2026, when Tyson Fury appeared at the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the White House Lawn. During his first trip to the United States in five years, the former heavyweight champion deferred to the UFC CEO, stating he would “let Dana do the speaking.”
White later corroborated the buzz, telling members of the press to expect an announcement soon and even suggesting his foray into the ring would be in full swing by January 2027.
But Warren hasn’t pulled his punches in response, describing White’s claims as “bulls***” during a conversation with TalkSport. He clarified that the legal framework governing Fury’s career specifically precludes Zuffa Boxing from taking the reins.
“Well, he’s not because the contract with Tyson says Zuffa will not be able to promote that fight,” Warren said, reinforcing that his long-standing business relationship with the fighter remains fully intact and functional as they look toward a Fury-Joshua bout penciled in for late 2026 at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Contractual barriers and the role of Turki Alalshikh
Despite the public flirting between the Belfast-born fighter and the UFC boss, Tyson Fury appeared to clarify his hierarchy of support via social media shortly after the D.C. event. In an Instagram post, he tagged HE Turki Alalshikh, the head of Riyadh Season, declaring him “the promoter of the GK till I retire.”
This statement aligns with Warren’s view that the recent financial engine behind Fury’s biggest shows—including recent stadium fights—remains the Saudi Arabian influence.
The logistical hurdles for a promoter like White are not just personal but broadcast-related. Warren confirmed that if the Fury vs. Joshua fight were to move to a platform like Netflix, current promotional giants like Queensberry and Matchroom Boxing might be excluded due to their exclusive UK contracts with DAZN.
This complex web of television rights makes the entry of a new promotional entity like Zuffa particularly difficult for a domestic blockbuster of this magnitude.
There is also the matter of heavy litigation. In February 2026, Frank Warren reportedly initiated a $1 billion lawsuit against TKO and Sela regarding the formation of Zuffa Boxing.
Warren claims he was meant to be involved in the venture and was unfairly sidelined, adding a layer of legal friction to the ongoing war of words with White. For now, the promoter maintains that “nothing has changed” and life continues as normal within his camp.
The road to the Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua showdown
While fans are eager for the “Battle of Britain,” both fighters have potential hurdles to clear before the end of the year. Anthony Joshua is currently scheduled for a return to the ring in July, though his opponent for that date has not been officially named in recent reports.
Despite previous speculation, no specific challenger has been confirmed for the July card, and his team remains focused on maintaining his momentum ahead of the winter window.
Tyson Fury’s own path back to the ring is equally subject to speculation. While he has hinted that his next fight would take place on August 1, 2026, this remains an unconfirmed date.
Reporters have noted that a potential “warm-up” fight is being discussed for August to ensure the former champion is sharp before the Joshua clash. If such a fight happens, it will likely be the final step before the two giants finally meet in what many hope will be a UK-based event.
The debate over the venue remains a sore point for local supporters, as recent reports suggest Las Vegas has emerged as a frontrunner to host the bout. Warren admitted that while nothing is decided, a British location is the most logical choice for two British heavyweights. The ongoing posturing from figures like com/anthony-joshua-dismisses-jake-paul-s-injury-with-that-s-figh/”>Anthony Joshua regarding the fight game shows that the psychological war is well underway, even as the promoters argue over the fine print of the contracts.
What the Dana White involvement actually means
If Dana White is indeed moving into boxing, his impact may be felt more in the long-term infrastructure of the sport rather than on a single Tyson Fury fight.
White’s request to be judged on January 1, 2027, suggests a broader strategy for Zuffa Boxing that could involve signing up-and-coming talent rather than just poaching established stars. However, having Fury appear at a high-profile UFC event certainly provides White with the “global superstar” optics he needs to launch a new brand.
For the reader, this saga reveals the heavy tension between the traditional boxing guard and the MMA expansionists. While Fury enjoys the leverage that comes with being a “free agent” of sorts in his public comments, the legal reality described by Warren suggests the power remains with the established promoters and the Saudi financiers.
Until an official announcement arrives from Zuffa, the status quo of the heavyweight division remains under the control of Queensberry and Riyadh Season.
The coming months will likely see more verbal sparring between the promoters. But with Turki Alalshikh confirmed by Fury as his retirement-long promoter and Warren citing iron-clad contracts, Dana White’s promised “massive announcement” may have to focus on something other than the lead promotion of the biggest fight in British boxing history.
