The talks surrounding a showdown between heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have entered what promoters are calling a decisive week, with New York being floated as a possible location for the bout. Both British fighters are finally on track to meet in the ring this calendar year, but an official confirmation has been held back while the parties hammer out the details of where the fight will take place. Madison Square Garden has risen to the top of the list of likely venues, adding a fresh twist to what was originally slated as a UK‑based contest.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, disclosed that the initial contract for the fight specified a United Kingdom setting. However, recent discussions suggest that the parties are now willing to explore alternatives, spurred by growing optimism that the highly anticipated clash can be locked in for later in 2024. "It would be disappointing if the fight didn’t happen in the UK," Matchroom Boxing chief executive Frank Smith told Sky Sports, "but if moving it means the fight actually happens, we all want to see it." Smith explained that the idea of a New York venue is not new.
"AJ has fought in the city before and has competed worldwide, so the notion of MSG has been floated for a while," he said. "We are still bound by the terms we signed, which originally called for a UK showdown.
Those terms were agreed upon when the fight was announced in March‑April, but the landscape has shifted and we are now reviewing the options." The proposed New York location is being examined alongside other interests, including input from The Ring Magazine and a delegation from Saudi Arabia that has shown enthusiasm for the event. Smith hinted that a November date remains feasible, but stressed that the next seven to ten days are critical for finalising logistics, securing the venue, and allowing both fighters to enter a proper training camp.
"We need an eight‑ to‑ten‑week preparation period that is free from promotional obligations," he added. Both camps have been busy in the meantime.
Fury delivered a dominant performance last month, stopping Mariusz Wach in the seventh round, while Joshua rebounded from an early knockdown to knock out Kristian Prenga. These warm‑up victories have kept the momentum high and underscored each fighter’s readiness for a potential clash. Smith emphasized that the pressure is mounting.
"The next week is absolutely critical," he said. "We can’t put exact timeframes on negotiations, but we need to get the details together quickly if we want the fight to happen on schedule." Fury himself has been feeding the anticipation. After a brief teaser on his Instagram, he hinted that a major announcement was imminent, noting that Netflix had aired a promotional clip during its WWE coverage that ended with the tagline "coming soon." Fury wrote, "Everything is going well. I’ve got some big news that will be dropped very soon.
All is good in the hood. A big fight is on the horizon.
It’s the one you’ve all been waiting for, about to be announced imminently, so stay tuned." The stakes are high for both fighters and their promoters. A fight in New York would not only provide a historic backdrop but also tap into the lucrative U.S.
market, potentially increasing pay‑per‑view revenue and global exposure. On the other hand, a UK venue would satisfy the expectations of the British fan base that has been eager for a domestic showdown between the two biggest names in heavyweight boxing. Industry insiders note that the negotiations involve more than just the venue. Broadcast rights, sponsorship deals, and the involvement of international partners such as Saudi investors are all part of the equation.
The final decision will likely hinge on which arrangement offers the most financial upside while still delivering a compelling sporting spectacle. If the fight does land in Madison Square Garden, it would join a storied lineage of legendary bouts held under its iconic roof, adding another chapter to the venue’s rich boxing heritage. The arena’s capacity of over 20,000 seats, combined with state‑of‑the‑art facilities, makes it an attractive option for a high‑profile event. Conversely, a UK setting would likely see the fight staged at a venue like Wembley Stadium or the O2 Arena, both of which have hosted massive boxing events in recent years.
The logistical ease of keeping the fight on home soil could simplify travel and training arrangements for both camps, while also catering to the massive domestic fan interest. Regardless of where the final decision lands, the consensus among promoters, fighters, and analysts is that the bout is inevitable. Smith concluded with confidence, stating, "I’m very confident we will see that fight and AJ will knock out Tyson Fury this year." Whether the knockout comes in New York or London, the heavyweight world is poised for one of the biggest match‑ups in recent memory, and fans worldwide are watching closely as the final pieces fall into place.