Negotiations surrounding the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have entered what promoters are calling a "critical week." The two British champions are finally on track to meet inside the ropes this year, but the exact location of the bout remains under discussion, with New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden emerging as a leading candidate. Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, has explained that the original contract for the fight stipulated a UK venue. However, recent talks have opened the door to a possible transatlantic shift, driven by a growing optimism that the clash can be locked in for later in the calendar year.
The prospect of staging the event in New York has generated fresh excitement among fans and media alike, as it would bring the fight to a global stage and potentially boost its commercial appeal. Frank Smith, chief executive of Matchroom Boxing, spoke to Sky Sports about the situation. He acknowledged that a UK location would have been ideal, saying, "It would be disappointing if it isn’t in the UK, but the priority is simply to see the fight happen. If moving to New York makes that possible, we’re all for it." Smith noted that Joshua has already fought in the United States and around the world, so a New York venue would not be unprecedented for him.
Smith reiterated that the terms originally signed in March and April called for a UK bout, but he emphasized that the conversation is now focused on logistics and feasibility. "There have been suggestions and discussions about New York.
Madison Square Garden is a proposed venue we’d like to explore, alongside input from The Ring Magazine and the Saudi delegation," he explained. "We’re still bound by the contract we signed, but we’re also looking at how to make the fight happen in the best possible setting for both fighters and the fans." The timeline for finalizing the venue is tight.
Smith suggested that a November date—potentially later in the month—remains realistic, but only if decisive progress is made in the next seven to ten days. This window is crucial to allow both fighters to enter a dedicated training camp, free from promotional obligations, and to complete an eight‑to‑ten‑week preparation period.
"The pressure is on over the next week to get it done," Smith said, underscoring the urgency of the negotiations. When asked whether the upcoming week truly qualifies as "critical," Smith answered unequivocally: "I would say 100 per cent.
It’s never easy to put timeframes on these things, but when it comes to locking in a date, we need to get everything together in the next week or so." He added that while the timeline is challenging, the parties involved are committed to making the fight a reality. Both fighters have been sharpening their skills in recent warm‑up bouts. Fury demonstrated his power with a seventh‑round stoppage of Mariusz Wach, while Joshua rebounded from an early knockdown to knock out Kristian Prenga, showcasing his resilience and finishing ability.
These performances have only heightened anticipation for a showdown between the two heavyweights. Smith expressed confidence that the fight will materialize, stating, "We’re all focused on making it happen and getting the final details together. Lots of discussions are ongoing, and I’m confident we’ll see this fight.
I’m very confident AJ will knock out Tyson Fury this year." His optimism reflects the broader sentiment within the boxing community, where many believe that a Fury‑Joshua clash would be a historic moment for the sport. Fury himself has been feeding the hype, teasing that an official announcement is "imminent." Hours after a Netflix promotional clip aired during WWE coverage with the tagline "coming soon," Fury posted on Instagram: "Everything is going well. I’ve got some big news going to be dropped very soon.
All is good in the hood. Big fight on the horizon. It’s the one you’ve all been waiting for, about to be announced imminently, so stay tuned." The potential move to New York also aligns with broader strategic considerations.
Hosting the fight at Madison Square Garden would tap into the venue’s storied boxing heritage, attract a massive live audience, and provide a lucrative pay‑per‑view market in the United States. Moreover, the involvement of the Saudi delegation hints at possible financial backing that could further enhance the event’s scale and production values. In summary, the next week will be decisive for the Fury‑Joshua saga. Stakeholders are juggling contractual obligations, venue logistics, and promotional timelines, all while the fighters continue to train and maintain public interest.
If negotiations succeed, fans can expect a monumental heavyweight battle, possibly under the bright lights of New York, later this November. The boxing world watches closely, awaiting confirmation that the long‑awaited clash will finally become a reality.