The long‑awaited heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is increasingly being discussed as a transatlantic event rather than a home‑grown British spectacle. Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, disclosed that Turki Alalshikh – the Saudi official spearheading the all‑British bout – has recently indicated a preference for staging the fight on American soil. Alalshikh’s earlier statements had emphasized the need to select a date and venue that would accommodate a global television audience, even suggesting that talks would be opened with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, about pushing the start time later than usual to suit overseas viewers.
Despite those initial overtures, recent reports from Sky Sports News reveal that Brent Council has yet to receive any formal request to relax Wembley Stadium’s 11 p.m. curfew, a change that would be required to allow a 2 a.m.
ring‑walk. The absence of that logistical green light has added another layer of uncertainty to the location debate. In an interview with DAZN ahead of Joshua’s warm‑up bout against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia, Hearn said, “Within the last 24 hours we’ve been told the preferred venue is now the United States. That doesn’t line up with the contract we signed.
Until we’re satisfied, we expect every clause of that agreement to be honoured. I still feel the fight belongs in the UK.” Hearn added that Joshua himself has reiterated the contractual language that mandates a UK venue. He explained that any alteration would require a renegotiation of the terms, which he described as “not a problem in principle, but a conversation that must happen.” This back‑and‑forth underscores how the business side of boxing can become as dramatic as the fights themselves. Fury, meanwhile, has expressed skepticism that Joshua will ultimately agree to the terms of a US‑based bout.
After his seventh‑round stoppage of Mariusz Wach in a non‑televised match in Thailand, the 37‑year‑old champion took the opportunity to question Joshua’s willingness to face him in a high‑stakes setting. Fury referenced the April encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Joshua chose not to step into the ring with Fury after the latter’s victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov.
“I’ve passed my test,” Fury said. “Now let’s see if Anthony passes his. The biggest test is whether he’s got the guts.
In front of 70,000 fans in Tottenham he didn’t have the courage to meet me. I’m not convinced he will ever do it.” The British champion’s remarks were peppered with a mixture of bravado and speculation about possible venues. He mused, “Will it be Vegas?
New York? Ireland? London?
Belfast? Maybe even here in Pattaya, Thailand?” His comments highlight the fluid nature of heavyweight negotiations, where promoters, fighters, broadcasters, and even local authorities must align on a myriad of details ranging from time zones to curfew exemptions. If the fight does move to the United States, several logistical considerations will come into play.
A US venue would likely mean a later start time for European audiences, which could affect pay‑per‑view revenues and broadcast contracts. Conversely, the American market offers a massive pay‑per‑view base and the allure of iconic venues such as the MGM Grand in Las Vegas or Madison Square Garden in New York, both of which have historically drawn record‑breaking crowds for heavyweight bouts. On the other hand, keeping the bout in the UK would preserve the narrative of a home‑grown clash between two of Britain’s most celebrated fighters, potentially boosting ticket sales at a venue like Wembley or the O2 Arena. It would also satisfy the contractual language that Hearn and Joshua have emphasized, avoiding the need for renegotiation and the attendant legal complexities.
The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already packed with marquee events, and the Fury‑Joshua fight is poised to become the centerpiece of the year. Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting confirmation, and the final decision will likely hinge on a combination of contractual fidelity, financial incentives, and the willingness of both fighters to adapt to a new environment. In the meantime, boxing enthusiasts can tune in to other upcoming matches, such as Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, both slated for a Sunday night broadcast on Sky Sports.
Those fights provide a glimpse of the talent pool that will be on display when the heavyweight giants eventually meet, whether that meeting occurs under the bright lights of Las Vegas, the historic arches of London, or an unexpected arena in Thailand. The saga continues to evolve, and as negotiations progress, each stakeholder—from promoters and fighters to city officials and broadcasters—will be watching closely.
The ultimate venue will not only shape the financial outcome but also influence the legacy of both Fury and Joshua, cementing their places in heavyweight history. Until a definitive announcement is made, the boxing world remains on the edge of its seat, anticipating what could be one of the most talked‑about fights of the decade.