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, indicate that Turki Alalshikh—the Saudi official spearheading the all‑British bout—has now expressed a preference for staging the fight in the United States. Alalshikh had originally insisted that the contest be scheduled at a time that would accommodate a global television audience, and he even suggested opening talks with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, to negotiate a later‑than‑usual start time for the event. The idea was to keep the fight in the UK while still reaching fans worldwide.
However, a report from Sky Sports News earlier this week revealed that Brent Council has not yet been approached about extending Wembley Stadium’s curfew to permit a 2 a.m. ring‑walk, a logistical hurdle that further complicates the British option. In an 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 agreement to be honoured. I feel this fight should be taking place in the UK. Anthony Joshua insisted that the contract states the fight must be in the UK.
If they want to change the contract, then we have to renegotiate it. That, in itself, isn’t a problem, but it’s a conversation we must have." The promoter’s remarks underscore a growing tension between the contractual obligations that were originally set out and the new preferences being voiced by the fight’s financiers. While renegotiating a contract is certainly possible, it would likely involve a fresh round of legal and logistical discussions, potentially delaying the finalisation of the event.
Meanwhile, Fury remains skeptical that Joshua will consent to a bout on foreign soil. After his seventh‑round stoppage of Mariusz Wach in a non‑televised fight in Thailand, the 37‑year‑old champion took the opportunity to question his rival’s willingness to face him. Fury referenced Joshua’s decision not to step into the ring after his own victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, suggesting that the British heavyweight may lack the courage to meet him head‑on.
"I got through my test. Let’s see if Joshua gets through his test. The biggest test of all is how big his balls are.
I think he’s a big s***house," Fury said, adding a colorful insult. "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." Fury went on to speculate about possible locations for the showdown, ranging from Las Vegas and New York to Ireland, London, Belfast, or even Pattaya, Thailand, where he had just fought. "I’ll regroup.
Hopefully the next big fight is signed next week, and we head wherever we’re going to head. Is it going to be in Vegas?
New York? Ireland? London? Who knows, Belfast maybe?
It might even be here in Pattaya, Thailand!" he mused. The uncertainty surrounding the venue reflects broader challenges in organising a mega‑event of this magnitude. A fight of this scale must satisfy a multitude of stakeholders: the fighters and their management teams, promoters, broadcasters, sponsors, local authorities, and, crucially, the fans.
Each party has distinct priorities—financial returns, logistical feasibility, broadcast windows, and national pride—all of which must be balanced. If the bout were to move to the United States, the financial upside could be significant. American venues such as the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas or Madison Square Garden in New York have a proven track record of generating massive gate receipts and pay‑per‑view revenue. Moreover, the US market offers a larger pool of corporate sponsors and a more extensive network of media partners, potentially increasing the fight’s global reach.
Conversely, keeping the fight in the UK would preserve the narrative of an all‑British heavyweight clash, a storyline that has captured the imagination of boxing fans for years. It would also honour the original contractual language that both fighters signed, thereby avoiding the need for renegotiation and the risk of legal disputes.
The upcoming weeks will likely see intensified negotiations. Hearn has indicated that the contract’s terms must be respected, while Alalshikh’s camp appears to be pushing for a venue that maximises worldwide viewership. If a compromise cannot be reached, the parties may opt to rewrite the agreement entirely, perhaps incorporating a split‑venue arrangement—such as a preliminary bout in the UK followed by the main event in the US—or a hybrid broadcasting schedule that accommodates both markets. Fans worldwide are watching closely, with many taking to social media to voice their preferences.
Some British supporters argue that the fight belongs in London, where the two fighters have built their careers and where the atmosphere would be electric. Others, particularly in the US, are eager for the chance to see the two champions clash on American soil, where the sport enjoys a deep-rooted fan base. Regardless of the final decision, the Fury‑Joshua showdown remains one of the most eagerly awaited events in boxing’s modern era.
Both athletes have proven themselves as dominant forces in the heavyweight division, and a clash would not only settle personal rivalries but also shape the future hierarchy of the sport. As the negotiations unfold, the boxing community can expect more statements, press conferences, and perhaps even a surprise venue announcement that will finally bring this long‑delayed dream fight to fruition.