The much‑anticipated heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua appears to be edging closer to a venue in the United States rather than the United Kingdom, according to recent statements from key figures on both sides of the bout. Eddie Hearn, the promoter representing Joshua, disclosed that Turki Alalshikh – the Saudi official who has been spearheading the organization of an all‑British heavyweight contest – is now leaning toward staging the fight on American soil.

Alalshikh had previously emphasized his desire to schedule the event at a time that would accommodate a worldwide audience, even indicating he would engage with London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan about a later‑than‑usual start time to make the fight more accessible to fans across different time zones. Despite those earlier suggestions, Sky Sports News reported earlier in the week that Brent Council had not yet been approached about the possibility of extending Wembley Stadium's curfew to permit a 2 a.m.

ring‑walk, a logistical hurdle that would be required if the bout were to remain in London. The lack of progress on that front adds weight to the theory that a transatlantic move may be more feasible.

In an interview with DAZN conducted ahead of Joshua’s warm‑up fight against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, 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 bout must be held in Britain. If they want to amend the agreement, then we’ll have to renegotiate – which is not a problem in principle, but it is a conversation we need to have." Fury, meanwhile, expressed skepticism that Joshua would ultimately agree to the terms and even questioned whether his rival possessed the courage required to step into the ring with him. Speaking after his seventh‑round stoppage of Mariusz Wach in a non‑televised match in Thailand on Friday, Fury referenced the earlier incident in April when Joshua chose not to face him after his victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. "I’ve passed my test," Fury said.

"Now let’s see if Anthony passes his. The biggest test of all is whether he’s got the guts – the size of his balls, if you will.

I think he’s a big s***‑house. In Tottenham, in front of 70,000 fans, he never had the courage to get in the ring and face me. Let’s see if he ever does. I’m not convinced." He went on to outline his hopes for the next steps, indicating that a major fight could be signed as early as next week, after which the location would be determined.

"Is it going to be Vegas? New York? Ireland?

London? Who knows – maybe Belfast? It could even be here in Pattaya, Thailand!" he added, underscoring the fluid nature of the negotiations and the wide range of possible venues under consideration. The potential relocation of the fight to the United States carries significant implications for both fighters and their fan bases.

A U.S. venue such as Las Vegas or New York would likely generate a larger pay‑per‑view audience, given the historic draw of heavyweight bouts in American arenas.

It would also align with the global‑time‑zone considerations that Alalshikh has cited, potentially maximizing viewership across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. However, moving the fight away from the UK could alienate a core segment of the British fan base, many of whom have been eagerly awaiting a domestic clash between the two home‑grown champions. The contract that Hearn referenced reportedly contains a clause mandating a UK location, a point that Joshua’s camp has repeatedly emphasized.

If the parties decide to amend that clause, they will need to negotiate new financial terms, revenue‑sharing arrangements, and logistical details such as travel, accommodation, and local regulatory approvals. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 also adds pressure to finalize the Fury‑Joshua bout quickly.

With several other high‑profile fights slated for the year, promoters are eager to lock in a marquee event that can serve as a centerpiece for the sport’s promotional cycle. A successful negotiation that satisfies both fighters, their promoters, and the broadcasting partners could set the tone for the rest of the year’s heavyweight landscape. For fans seeking to follow the ongoing developments, the fight’s fate will likely be decided in the coming weeks as contract lawyers, promoters, and venue operators hash out the final details.

In the meantime, boxing enthusiasts can stay engaged by watching other upcoming match‑ups, such as Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, both slated for a live broadcast on Sky Sports from New York at 10 p.m. on Sunday. Those events provide a glimpse of the talent pool that will continue to shape the sport while the heavyweight heavyweight showdown remains in limbo.

Whether the clash ultimately lands in Las Vegas, New York, London, or even an unexpected locale like Pattaya, the stakes remain high. Both Fury and Joshua have built their legacies on high‑profile victories, and a meeting of the two would be a defining moment for the heavyweight division.

Until a definitive agreement is reached, the boxing world will be watching closely, ready for the next announcement that could finally set the stage for what promises to be one of the most talked‑about bouts in recent memory.