The much‑anticipated heavyweight duel between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua appears to be edging closer to a venue across the Atlantic rather than on British soil. Recent comments from Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, suggest that Turki Al‑Alshikh—the Saudi Arabian official spearheading the all‑British bout—has now expressed a preference for staging the fight in the United States. Al‑Alshikh had previously emphasized his desire to schedule the encounter at a time that would accommodate a worldwide television audience. He even indicated a willingness to sit down with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, to negotiate a later‑than‑usual start time that might suit European viewers while still fitting a prime‑time slot in other markets.

However, logistical hurdles remain. Sky Sports News reported earlier in the week that Brent Council has not yet been approached about granting a curfew exemption at Wembley Stadium that would allow a ring‑walk as late as 2 a.m.

In an interview with DAZN ahead of Joshua’s warm‑up bout against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia, Hearn disclosed that, within the last 24 hours, Al‑Alshikh’s team communicated a clear preference for an American venue. “That doesn’t line up with the contract we signed,” Hearn said.

“Until we’re satisfied, we expect every clause of that agreement to be honoured. I still feel this fight belongs in the UK.” According to Hearn, the original contract explicitly states that the fight must take place on British soil. “Anthony Joshua has insisted that the contract says the bout has to be in the UK,” Hearn added.

He went on to explain that any change to the location would require a renegotiation of the existing agreement. “That’s not a problem in principle, but it’s a conversation we have to have,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fury has voiced skepticism about Joshua’s willingness to travel to the United States, questioning whether his rival possesses the necessary resolve to step into the ring with him. The 37‑year‑old champion made the remarks after a seventh‑round stoppage of Mariusz Wach in a non‑televised fight in Thailand. Fury referenced Joshua’s decision not to face him after his own victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.

“I’ve passed my test,” Fury declared. “Now we’ll see if Anthony passes his. The biggest test of all is how big his balls are. I think he’s a big s***‑house.” He went on to recall the Tottenham event, where, in front of 70,000 spectators, Joshua never entered the ring to meet him.

“Let’s see if he ever does. I’m not convinced,” Fury added. Fury also hinted that the next major fight could be signed as early as next week, but the location remains uncertain.

“Will it be in Vegas? New York? Ireland? London?

Maybe Belfast? It could even be here in Pattaya, Thailand!” he mused, underscoring the fluid nature of the negotiations. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already packed with high‑profile match‑ups, and fans are eager to see where the Fury‑Joshua showdown will ultimately land. If the bout moves to the United States, it would join a growing list of marquee heavyweight fights that have been staged in American venues, capitalising on the country’s massive pay‑per‑view market and the allure of iconic arenas such as the MGM Grand in Las Vegas or Madison Square Garden in New York.

Conversely, keeping the fight in the UK would preserve the narrative of a home‑grown clash between two of Britain’s most celebrated pugilists. It would also honour the contractual commitments already made to British authorities, promoters, and broadcasters. The curfew issue at Wembley remains a sticking point; without a special exemption, a late‑night start time could be logistically impossible, potentially forcing organisers to consider alternative stadiums or cities within the United Kingdom. Both camps appear prepared to renegotiate if necessary.

Hearn’s statement that a contract amendment “is not a problem” suggests flexibility, but also highlights the importance of financial and logistical terms that could shift dramatically depending on the chosen venue. A U.S. location would likely entail a larger guaranteed purse for the fighters, higher broadcast rights fees, and a different tax structure, all of which would need to be reflected in any revised agreement.

From a fan‑experience perspective, an American setting could mean a more festive atmosphere, with the typical Las Vegas fanfare of high‑stakes gambling, celebrity attendance, and a global media circus. A UK setting, however, would retain the historic rivalry narrative that has been building for years, pitting two British champions against each other on home soil, a storyline that resonates deeply with British boxing enthusiasts.

As negotiations continue, the boxing world watches closely. Whether the fight ultimately lands in a glittering American arena or remains a British spectacle, the clash between Fury and Joshua promises to be a defining moment for the heavyweight division in the coming years.

The outcome will shape not only the careers of the two athletes but also the commercial landscape of heavyweight boxing, influencing where future mega‑fights are staged and how contracts are structured to accommodate global audiences. For now, the only certainty is that the Fury‑Joshua saga remains one of the sport’s most compelling narratives, with each side poised to make strategic moves that could see the bout travel across continents, or stay firmly rooted in the heart of British boxing heritage.