The much‑anticipated heavyweight bout 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 comments from the fighters' representatives. Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, disclosed that Turki Alalshikh – the Saudi official who has been spearheading the all‑British showdown – is now leaning toward staging the fight on American soil. Alalshikh had previously emphasized his desire to schedule the encounter at a time that would accommodate a worldwide television audience.

He even hinted at negotiating with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, to allow a later‑than‑usual start time for a London‑based event, suggesting a willingness to adapt the logistics for fan convenience. However, a separate report from Sky Sports News earlier this week revealed that Brent Council has not yet been approached about the possibility of extending Wembley Stadium’s curfew to permit a 2 a.m. ring‑walk, a practical hurdle that would need to be cleared for a late‑night fight in the capital. During a pre‑fight interview with DAZN, conducted 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.” He added that this new direction conflicted with the terms of the contract that both camps had already signed.

“That doesn’t line up with the agreement we signed. Until we’re satisfied, we expect every clause of that contract to be honoured. I feel strongly that this fight should be taking place in the UK,” Hearn asserted. He noted that Joshua himself has insisted the contract specifies a UK location for the showdown.

Hearn went on to explain that if the parties wish to alter the venue, a renegotiation of the contract would be required. “If they want to change the contract, then we have to renegotiate it. That’s not a problem in principle, but it’s a conversation we need to have,” he said, indicating that the promoters are prepared to discuss terms, yet they remain firm on the original stipulations.

Meanwhile, Fury has expressed skepticism that Joshua will ever agree to meet him in the ring, questioning whether his rival possesses the "guts" to accept the challenge. Speaking after his seventh‑round stoppage of Mariusz Wach in a non‑televised bout in Thailand, the 37‑year‑old champion referenced Joshua’s decision not to fight him after his own victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April. Fury remarked, “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.” He continued, “In Tottenham, in front of 70,000 fans, he never had the courage to step into the ring and face me. Let’s see if he ever does.

I’m not convinced.” Fury then speculated on possible locations for the eventual clash, naming Las Vegas, New York, Ireland, London, Belfast, and even Pattaya, Thailand, as potential sites. “Is it going to be in Vegas?

New York? Ireland? London? Who knows, Belfast maybe?

It might even be here in Pattaya, Thailand!” he said, underscoring the uncertainty that still surrounds the bout. The ongoing debate over venue reflects larger strategic considerations for both fighters.

A United States location would likely generate a massive pay‑per‑view audience, tapping into the lucrative American boxing market and offering a neutral ground that could appease both camps. Conversely, a UK venue would satisfy the contractual obligations already signed and would allow British fans to witness a historic clash on home soil, potentially boosting ticket sales and national pride.

Adding another layer of complexity, the fight’s timing remains a critical factor. Alalshikh’s original intent to schedule the event at a globally convenient hour would require coordination with local authorities, broadcasters, and venue operators. Extending Wembley’s curfew, for instance, would involve negotiations with city officials and possibly the local police, a process that could delay final agreements. In the meantime, boxing fans can keep an eye on the broader 2026 boxing calendar, which promises a series of high‑profile match‑ups across multiple weight classes.

Networks such as Sky Sports and streaming platforms like NOW are promoting a range of fights, from the Edgar Berlanga vs. Steven Butler showdown in New York to the Richardson Hitchins vs.

Ricardo Salas bout, all available without long‑term contracts. As the negotiations continue, both promoters and fighters appear determined to protect their interests while still aiming to deliver a blockbuster event that lives up to the hype surrounding a Fury‑Joshua clash. Whether the final contract will be honoured in its original form, amended to accommodate a U.S.

venue, or perhaps even moved to a completely different location remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the heavyweight division is poised for a defining moment, and fans worldwide will be watching closely to see where and when the two giants finally meet.