Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: BT Sport distances itself from fight negotiations

Gyspy King credited the heavily criticised Daniel Kinahan for his role in agreeing a deal for the contests

Tyson Fury is represented by MTK Global, Top Rank and Queensbury Promotions (Getty Images)

British broadcaster BT Sport has distanced itself from negotiations between heavyweight boxers Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, and Daniel Kinahan, who reportedly played a key role in the agreement of a two-fight deal this week.

WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champion Joshua and WBC titleholder Fury are set to clash twice in 2021, with AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealing the news on Wednesday before the Gypsy King confirmed the deal.

Fury took to social media to credit Kinahan for his part in the negotiations, saying: “I’m just after getting off the phone with Daniel Kinahan. He’s just informed me that the biggest fight in British boxing history has just been agreed. Get in there my boy!

“Big shoutout Dan, he got this done – literally over the line. Two-fight deal, Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua next year.”

Kinahan, who has no criminal convictions but is known to be a person of interest to police in his home country of the Republic of Ireland, has come in for heavy criticism since the announcement. The son of convicted drug dealer Christie Kinahan, he founded the boxing management group MTK Global in 2012.

MTK represents Fury in collaboration with Top Rank and Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions. Kinahan no longer has any involvement with MTK.

Following the criticism of Kinahan from many sectors, BT Sport on Friday clarified that they had not been involved in any discussions around making the fight.

“BT Sport is not currently involved in the Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua negotiations,” a spokesperson for BT Sport said.

“Our broadcast agreement for the fights of Tyson Fury is exclusively with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. We have had no dealings with MTK or any of their representatives for this fight.

“BT reviews all sports rights and broadcast deals with the appropriate levels of responsibility and scrutiny before deciding on a course of action.

“We cannot comment further on a potential fight, which to the best of our knowledge is not confirmed, and which has not been offered to us.”

Saudi Arabia, which hosted Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in December, has already emerged as favourite to stage the first contest between AJ and Fury.