Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury is finally official with the heavyweights agreeing to meet on Dec. 11 in Cardiff, in the United Kingdom, and no one seems happier with the deal than Matchroom Boxing president Eddie Hearn.

ONE Championship

One win could separate a Bulgarian contender from ONE lightweight kickboxing gold. Standing in his way is a Japanese star who, he insists, does not like being pressured.

Bogdan Shumarov meets Rukiya “Demolition Man†Anpo in a lightweight kickboxing bout at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 29-year-old has won three of four ONE appearances, dropping only a split decision to Rungrawee “Legatron†Sitsongpeenong.

Anpo, a former K-1 Champion known for speed, movement, and attacks from multiple ranges, lost his ONE debut to three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion Marat Grigorian at featherweight. In Tokyo, he steps into lightweight kickboxing for the first time in ONE, though he has competed at heavier weights under boxing rules.

The Bulgarian has studied how Anpo reacts when opponents take away his space. His previous meetings with Masaaki Noiri and Grigorian, Shumarov believes, showed that constant forward momentum creates real problems for him.

“I think he doesn't like the pressure. Like we see in the previous fight, even back in the days with Noiri, now in ONE Championship with Marat,†Shumarov said.

“So I think I can handle this [well]. I think he's not gonna take my pressure.â€

Bogdan Shumarov sees Regian Eersel beyond Anpo

For Shumarov, a victory could lead straight to a shot at reigning ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian “The Immortal†Eersel. The pair were expected to meet around two years ago before an injury derailed the plan.

Anpo brings urgency of his own, competing in his home country while trying to make his mark in a new division. That leaves both men with little margin to spare at Ariake Arena.

“He can be dangerous because, of course, for him it's all or nothing because his fight is also [in Japan]. He's in his home,†Shumarov said.

“But for me, the same. It's all or nothing because if I win, I [will probably] go for the title next, so I don't have a chance to lose.â€

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Matchoom Boxing and TKO Worldwide

Eddie Hearn is claiming victory over Dana White as the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight is indeed on for the United Kingdom.

There was a bit of a power struggle, which stalled the official date and location reveal. Under the terms of the original contract, which was signed by Joshua, the fight was to take place in England. With Fury being linked to White, the Zuffa Boxing boss reportedly wanted the fight to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

On Thursday, Turki Alalshikh announced that Fury vs. Joshua will take place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Dec. 11.

Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn said White has no business being around Fury vs. Joshua at all, and he thinks the UFC CEO is struggling to accept defeat (via MMAJunkie).

“Dana White cannot be involved in this fight,†Hearn said. “Netflix clearly didn't get the memo. You see, no one talks to each other. So I speak to Sela and Turki, ‘No, Dana White is not involved in the fight, you've got a contract that says that, he won't be at the presser, blah, blah, blah.' And then Netflix says the fight's in conjunction with Dana White. So now we have to go through that process. We stand by our contract, and he cannot be involved. When I saw the press release, I just couldn't stop pissing myself. You really got them to include your name in the press (release), you silly, sloppy tit. It's just so petty. You've lost, mate. You've lost. You did everything you could to bring the fight to America and rob the British fight fans of the fight. Give it up, son. …â€

Hearn and White were once quite complimentary of one another, but things changed after Zuffa Boxing launched. White's involvement in the boxing industry, including attempts to revise the Muhammad Ali Act, have drawn the ire of Hearn and other promoters.

What do you make of the Eddie Hearn's comments about Dana White “losing†this round in their promoter rivalry? Is this the win Hearn thinks it is? Sound off in the comments below.

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