Frank Warren remains confident that the highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will ultimately be staged in the United States, despite recent rumours suggesting the fight could fall apart. The two British ex‑world champions appeared to be on track for a November showdown in London, but the Saudi‑backed promotion company Sela has expressed a strong preference for an American venue, creating a new set of complications. Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, has been vocal about keeping the event on British soil.
His insistence prompted Fury to voice concerns last week, describing the match as being in "serious doubt" because his opponent was reportedly demanding a larger purse. Those comments added fuel to an already volatile negotiation process.
Warren, however, stepped in to calm the nerves. Speaking to Sky Sports News, the veteran promoter said he believes the fight will still materialise, even if it ends up taking place across the Atlantic.
"I genuinely think it will happen," Warren told the broadcaster. "His Excellency Turki Al‑Alsheikh will announce it very soon. I know there have been some contractual hiccups between Matchroom and AJ, but I trust they will be ironed out." He added that Fury is already in the United States, training out of Miami, and preparing for the potential clash. "Both fighters would love to see the fight at Wembley, but the decision is now in the hands of the broadcaster and the promoters who are keen on an American venue," Warren explained.
"Given the massive financial stakes, I suspect the bout will head to the U.S., even though I would love to see it in London." Warren also pointed out that staging a marquee fight outside the United Kingdom would not be unprecedented in boxing history. He recalled the legendary 1974 encounter between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, which took place in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) after promoters and television networks sought a global stage. "Everyone wondered why the fight was moved, but it became an iconic moment in sport," Warren said.
"Ali later fought the 'Thrilla in Manila' against Joe Frazier, and even Joe Bugner faced Ali in Kuala Lumpur. These are examples of high‑profile bouts being staged far from the fighters' home countries." The promoter drew a parallel with football legend David Beckham, who spent the twilight years of his career playing abroad for financial reasons. "Boxers are professionals, and like any athlete, they make decisions based on career longevity and earnings," Warren noted. "If the money is there, they will travel to where the purse is highest." While Warren acknowledges that British fans would love to see the showdown at Wembley, he emphasizes that the ultimate decision rests with the television rights holder and the promoters who have secured the financial backing for an American event.
"The fans will support the fight wherever it happens," he said. "But the business side of boxing often dictates the location." In summary, despite the recent back‑and‑forth between promoters and the lingering uncertainty about contractual terms, Warren believes the Fury‑Joshua fight will go ahead, most likely on U.S.
soil. He points to historical precedents, the lure of a larger payday, and the involvement of Saudi patron Turki Al‑Alsheikh as key factors that will drive the final arrangement. If the bout does move to America, it will join a long lineage of legendary fights that transcended national borders to become global spectacles, reinforcing the idea that great boxing moments are defined by the athletes and the drama, not by the geography of the venue.