EXCLUSIVE
Eddie Hearn explains PPV price increase for Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte fight
Eddie Hearn has explained the decision to charge fans more for the Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte fight coming in August.
DAZN announced that Joshua will fight Whyte at London's O2 Arena on August 12, meeting once again after first touching gloves in 2015.
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On that occasion eight years ago, AJ knocked Whyte out to mark his first defeat after a brewing rivalry that first stirred in their amateur days.
But boxing fans have been left aggrieved by the price of the pay-per-view event, which will set viewers back by £26.99. By the way, you can listen to full commentary of the fight live on talkSPORT for FREE.
For comparison, Tyson Fury's fight against Whyte in April 2022 cost £24.95, and was arguably a bigger fight considering there was a world title on the line.
Boxing promoter Hearn was grilled by Andy Goldstein live on talkSPORT over the price in Thursday's edition of Drivetime.
READ MORE ON ANTHONY JOSHUA
Goldstein asked Hearn: "Fury against Dillian Whyte was £24.95, this one is £26.99. Can you explain why it has gone up and has that got anything to do with the undercard?"
Hearn replied: "No, different broadcasters, firstly. All broadcasters have a different pay-per-view price.
"There will be a fantastic undercard that will be announced at the press conference on Monday.
"I think the last pay-per-view, I think it was Oleksandr Usyk, I think it was £29.99. Something like that?
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"It is always around £24, £26, pay-per-view is pay-per-view. We have been there a million times.
"This fight is pay-per-view on any platform. The fact that it is on DAZN, it will be available on Sky as well and obviously, talkSPORT will be carrying it.
"It is a massive fight. It will have a massive undercard. We could have done it in a stadium, tickets go on sale next week.
"Good luck and we look forward to seeing you there."
Joshua has not fought since April where he beat Jermaine Franklin on points, coming off the back of two losses in a row to Oleksandr Usyk.
But as well as Whyte, AJ has plans to fight Wilder in December in a blockbuster fight.
If the Brit can emerge unscathed and with wins in all three then the chance of mega-fight against Tyson Fury must surely come into the fold.
Speaking on his upcoming fight, Joshua said: "I've been clear that my plan is to be active this year.
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"August 12 is the date - I'll be ready to fight. I look forward to dealing with business."
The first bout between the two actually went Whyte's way, when he defeated AJ by decision as an amateur in 2009.
Since then, there has been a red-hot rivalry while this contest looks set to end the matter once and for all.
"I'm looking forward to returning to the London O2 on August 12 and going to war," said Whyte. "It's 1-1, so this is the decider."
With AJ set to face Wilder in Saudi Arabia this December, a loss to Whyte could jeopardise a bout against the Bronze Bomber.
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But that is a risk that Joshua is willing to take as Hearn explained: "The rivalry runs deep and there is something about these two where they will never back down from each other.
"It is an absolute must-win for both. Get ready for fireworks."
Joshua vs Whyte on talkSPORT
A history of violence is here
Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte is live on talkSPORT - the home of boxing - on 12 August
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