The much‑anticipated heavyweight duel 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. Eddie Hearn, the promoter who has been steering Joshua's career, disclosed that Turki Al‑Alshikh – the Saudi official who has been championing an all‑British showdown – is now leaning toward staging the fight on American soil. Al‑Alshikh had previously emphasized his desire to schedule the bout at a time that would accommodate a worldwide television audience, even suggesting negotiations with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, to push the start time later than usual in order to maximise viewership.

Despite those earlier talks, a 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 logistical hurdle that could make a London venue far less attractive. In an interview with DAZN ahead of Joshua’s warm‑up fight against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Hearn said, “Within the last 24 hours we’ve been told 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.” He added, “Anthony Joshua has insisted that the contract specifies the bout must be held in the United Kingdom.

If they want to amend that, we’ll have to renegotiate the terms – which isn’t a problem in itself, but it’s a conversation we need to have.” Fury, meanwhile, expressed skepticism that Joshua will ultimately agree to a fight on foreign soil, questioning 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 on Friday, the 37‑year‑old champion referenced Joshua’s decision not to meet him after his own victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.

“I’ve passed my test,” Fury said. “Now let’s see if Anthony can pass 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 outline his own plans, noting, “I’ll regroup. Hopefully the next big fight gets signed next week and we head wherever we’re headed.

Will it be in Vegas? New York? Ireland?

London? Maybe Belfast? It could even be here in Pattaya, Thailand!” The shifting venue discussion underscores the broader commercial and logistical challenges that surround a fight of this magnitude.

A U.S. location would likely bring a larger gate, higher pay‑per‑view numbers, and a more favourable time‑zone for the lucrative American market.

However, it would also mean renegotiating a contract that explicitly calls for a UK setting, potentially upsetting fans and stakeholders who have been promised a home‑grown showdown. For Joshua’s camp, the allure of a massive American audience is tempered by the need to honour contractual obligations and maintain goodwill with British supporters.

Hearn’s comments suggest that his team is prepared to sit down at the negotiating table, but only if the terms are clear and mutually acceptable. From Fury’s perspective, the prospect of a fight in the United States could be seen as a strategic advantage. He has already fought in Las Vegas and other American venues, building a strong fan base there.

Yet his taunts aimed at Joshua indicate that he is also using the venue debate as a psychological weapon, trying to get under his opponent’s skin and perhaps coax him into a decision that favours Fury’s own preferences. Both promoters will also need to consider the logistical nightmare of arranging a 2 a.m. start time at Wembley, which would require special permission from local authorities to lift the curfew. The fact that Brent Council has not yet been contacted suggests that a UK venue may be increasingly unlikely unless the parties can find a compromise that satisfies both the curfew regulations and the broadcasters’ desire for a prime‑time slot.

In the meantime, fans can stay tuned to the upcoming undercard fights, such as Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, which will be broadcast live from New York on Sky Sports. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 continues to fill out, with major match‑ups slated throughout the year, offering plenty of action while the Fury‑Joshua saga unfolds.

Whether the final showdown lands in Las Vegas, New York, London, or even an unexpected location like Pattaya, the stakes remain sky‑high. Both fighters have expressed confidence in their abilities and a willingness to travel wherever the contract and the money take them. The next few weeks will likely see intense negotiations, legal reviews, and perhaps a final press conference where the two camps lay out their definitive terms.

Until then, the heavyweight world watches with bated breath, ready for what could become one of the most talked‑about fights in recent memory.