The much‑anticipated heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is increasingly looking like it could take place on American soil rather than in the United Kingdom. Recent comments from Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, suggest that Turki Alalshikh—the Saudi Arabian official who has been steering the all‑British bout—has now expressed a preference for the fight to be staged in the United States.
Alalshikh had earlier insisted that the timing of the event should cater to a global audience, and he indicated a willingness to negotiate a later start time with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, to accommodate viewers in different time zones. However, the logistical side of that plan has hit a snag. Sky Sports News reported that Brent Council has not yet been approached about extending the curfew at Wembley Stadium, a step that would be necessary to allow a 2 a.m.
ring‑walk if the fight were to remain in London. During a pre‑fight interview with DAZN ahead of Joshua’s warm‑up bout against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia, Hearn said, "We’ve been told in the last 24 hours that a fight in America is what they want. That doesn’t line up with the contract we signed.
Until we’re satisfied, we expect every clause of that contract to be honoured. I feel this fight should be taking place in the UK.
Anthony Joshua insisted that the contract stipulated the fight must be in the UK. If they want to amend the contract, we’ll have to renegotiate, which is not a problem, but it’s a conversation we have to have." The promoter’s remarks underline a tension between the contractual obligations that were originally agreed upon and the new strategic direction being pushed by Alalshikh. While the promoter is prepared to discuss a revised agreement, he also stresses that any changes must be mutually acceptable and formally documented.
Meanwhile, Fury has not been convinced that Joshua will ultimately agree to the terms of a fight, and he has publicly questioned whether his rival possesses the courage to step into the ring with him. Speaking after his seventh‑round stoppage of Mariusz Wach in a non‑televised bout in Thailand, the 37‑year‑old Fury referenced Joshua’s decision not to meet him in the ring after his own victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April. Fury said, "I passed my test. Let’s see if Joshua passes his.
The biggest test of all is how big his balls are. I think he’s a big s***house.
In Tottenham, in front of 70,000 fans, he never had the guts to get in the ring and face me. Let’s see if he ever does. I’m not convinced." He went on to speculate about possible venues, noting that the next big fight could be signed as early as next week and could end up anywhere: "Is it going to be in Vegas?
New York? Ireland? London? Belfast maybe?
It might even be here in Pattaya, Thailand!" This wide‑ranging speculation reflects both the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations and the global appeal of a Fury‑Joshua clash, which would generate massive interest regardless of location. The broader context of the heavyweight division adds further intrigue. Both fighters have been on a resurgence: Fury, after a series of high‑profile victories and a return from a period of health issues, has re‑established himself as a dominant champion.
Joshua, meanwhile, has been rebuilding his reputation after a series of setbacks and is eager to secure a marquee bout that could cement his status among the sport’s elite. A meeting between the two would not only settle a long‑standing rivalry but also likely become one of the biggest boxing events of the decade, drawing massive pay‑per‑view numbers and sponsorship deals.
From a business perspective, moving the fight to the United States could make sense. The U.S. market offers larger venues, higher ticket‑price ceilings, and a well‑established pay‑per‑view infrastructure that can generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Moreover, American broadcasters such as DAZN, ESPN, and Showtime have expressed interest in securing rights to a Fury‑Joshua fight, which could further inflate the financial stakes.
Conversely, keeping the bout in the UK would preserve the narrative of an all‑British heavyweight clash, a storyline that resonates strongly with local fans and could boost domestic ticket sales and national viewership. The UK government and local councils have previously shown willingness to accommodate major sporting events, though the curfew issue at Wembley remains a practical hurdle.
In terms of logistics, a U.S. location would also simplify travel for many of the fighters’ support teams, given the extensive network of training facilities and medical resources available in cities like Las Vegas and New York. However, it would also mean that both fighters would need to adjust to a different time zone, which could affect their preparation schedules and potentially their performance. The negotiations are still ongoing, and both sides have indicated that they are open to dialogue.
Hearn’s statement that a contract renegotiation is "not a problem" suggests that a compromise could be reached, provided that the financial terms and venue logistics meet the expectations of both the fighters and their promoters. As of now, the exact date and location of the Fury‑Joshua showdown remain unconfirmed. Fans worldwide continue to speculate, and the media is closely monitoring every development.
Whether the fight ends up in a glittering Las Vegas arena, a historic London stadium, or even an unexpected venue like Pattaya, the stakes are high and the anticipation is palpable. In the meantime, boxing enthusiasts can catch other high‑profile matches, such as Edgar Berlanga vs.
Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins vs. Ricardo Salas, which will be broadcast live from New York on Sky Sports. For those who prefer streaming without a long‑term contract, NOW offers a contract‑free option to watch the action.
The upcoming weeks promise to deliver more updates, and the boxing world watches with bated breath for the final decision on where this historic heavyweight clash will finally take place.