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 the fighters' camps. Eddie Hearn, the promoter who represents Joshua, disclosed that Turki Al‑Alshikh – the Saudi businessman who is backing the all‑British bout – has now expressed a preference for staging the fight on American soil. Al‑Alshikh had originally indicated that he wanted the event to be timed for a worldwide television audience and had even suggested opening discussions with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, about moving the start time later than usual to accommodate viewers in other time zones. Despite those early negotiations, a separate report from Sky Sports News this week highlighted that Brent Council has not yet been approached about loosening the curfew restrictions at Wembley Stadium, which would be necessary to allow a ring‑walk as late as 2 a.m.
local time. The lack of progress on that front adds weight to the argument that a move across the Atlantic may be more practical. Speaking to DAZN ahead of Joshua’s warm‑up bout with Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Hearn said, “In the last 24 hours we’ve been told that the preferred location is now the United States. That doesn’t line up with the contract we signed, which clearly states the fight must be held in the UK.
Until we are satisfied, we expect every clause of that agreement to be honoured. I personally feel this fight should take place on British soil.” Hearn added that Joshua himself has reiterated the contractual language that obliges the event to be staged in the United Kingdom. He continued, “If the promoters want to amend the venue, then we will have to renegotiate the terms. That’s not a problem in principle – it’s simply a conversation we need to have.” Fury, meanwhile, has voiced skepticism that Joshua will ever agree to travel to the United States, questioning his rival’s willingness to face him on foreign ground.
The 37‑year‑old champion made the comments after a seventh‑round stoppage of Mariusz Wach in a non‑televised fight in Thailand on Friday. He referenced the fact that Joshua chose not to step into the ring with him after Fury’s April victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. “I’ve passed my test,” Fury said. “Now we’ll see if Anthony passes his.
The biggest test of all is whether he’s got the courage – the ‘balls’ – to meet me. In front of 70,000 fans at Tottenham he never had the guts to take the fight.
Let’s see if he ever does. I’m not convinced.” He went on to outline a tentative timeline, noting that he hopes a major bout will be signed within the next week and that the location could be anywhere from Las Vegas to New York, from Ireland to London, or even Belfast.
He even floated the possibility of the fight taking place in Pattaya, Thailand, where he had just fought Wach. The shifting venue debate underscores the complex logistics that surround a fight of this magnitude.
Organisers must balance the contractual obligations signed months ago, the commercial interests of broadcasters and sponsors, and the desires of a global fan base that spans multiple time zones. A U.S.
location would likely generate higher pay‑per‑view revenues due to the size of the American market, but it would also require renegotiating the existing agreement that explicitly names the UK as the host nation. In addition to the venue question, there are practical considerations such as travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, and the need for a suitable arena that can accommodate a massive audience while meeting the technical specifications for a world‑class broadcast. Wembley’s curfew constraints illustrate how local regulations can become a stumbling block for events that aim to start late in the evening to suit overseas viewers. Both fighters have massive followings, and the bout would be a historic moment for heavyweight boxing, potentially deciding the sport’s dominant champion for years to come.
The stakes are high not only for the athletes but also for the promoters, broadcasters, and betting markets that have already begun to set odds and allocate promotional budgets. As negotiations continue, fans can expect more updates in the coming days.
Whether the fight lands in a glittering Vegas arena, a storied London venue, or an unexpected location like Pattaya, the clash between Fury and Joshua promises to be a defining chapter in modern boxing history. For those looking to keep up with the latest developments, the Boxing Schedule 2026 page provides a comprehensive list of upcoming fights, while the Toe2Toe podcast offers weekly analysis and insider commentary.
Boxing enthusiasts can also catch other high‑profile match‑ups, such as Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, streaming live on Sky Sports or via the NOW platform without a long‑term contract.