Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that discussions have been revived to bring the highly anticipated showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua back to Wembley Stadium. Earlier negotiations stalled when the prospect of staging the bout at New York's Madison Square Garden emerged as the preferred option, creating a major impasse for the parties involved. Hearn, however, used his social media platforms to signal that Wembley is once again on the table as a viable venue.
In his statement, Hearn expressed gratitude to fans and supporters, writing: "I want to thank everyone for the unbelievable support! You have been heard and talks have now re‑opened for Wembley. Let's make history with one of the biggest sporting moments the British flag has ever seen." The message underscored the promoter's desire to create a landmark event on home soil, tapping into the deep-rooted passion that British boxing fans have for both heavyweight champions. Sky Sports reached out to Fury's long‑time promoter Frank Warren for comment, but the focus remained on the logistical and political maneuvering required to secure a London venue.
Hearn later elaborated on a broadcast with DAZN, noting that he had spoken directly with London Mayor Sadiq Khan about the possibility of hosting the fight at Wembley. "I spoke to Sadiq Khan today. There's a narrative going around that Netflix wants the fight to accommodate the American audience a little bit later. I get that, so we could do the fight later in Britain, but everybody is saying 'you can't do that, there's a curfew at Wembley'.
Sadiq Khan has come back and said 'woah guys, we'll move heaven and earth to get this fight in London'," Hearn said. The conversation between Hearn and Khan highlights the complex web of interests that surround a mega‑event of this magnitude.
On one side, broadcasters such as Netflix and DAZN are looking to maximise viewership across time zones, which often translates into a later start time for a UK audience. On the other side, local authorities and fans are eager to keep the fight in the capital, preserving the cultural and economic benefits that a high‑profile bout brings to the city.
Fury himself added fuel to the fire earlier in the week by taking to social media to label Joshua a "coward" and accuse him of "conning" boxing fans amid the ongoing stalemate. The exchange reflects the heightened emotions and media scrutiny that accompany any potential clash between the two British heavyweights, each of whom commands a massive following. Mayor Khan has been vocal in his support for a London venue.
In an interview with Sky Sports News, he urged the promoters to prioritize the wishes of the British public: "I understand the temptation of going to Madison Square Garden. I understand the temptation of the money and the offer, but the fans are here.
We've been loyal to Tyson and to Anthony. We love them both, and we'd love to see them boxing here in London. I'm positive Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua know how much we love both of them.
I'm not sure how much the promoters know how much we love both of them, but my message to the promoters is why don't you do what Tyson and Anthony want, which is get the fight in London. We'll get 100,000 people watching them live, plus millions watching across the globe fighting amongst the fans who've loved them from the beginning." Khan also disclosed that he has been in direct contact with Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing, emphasizing the collaborative spirit between the city and the promoter. "We've hosted some of the biggest boxing events in history in London during my mayoralty.
Many British fans are fans of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Many Londoners love both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua recognise the importance of British boxing fans. The promoters know we're here to help.
We've approached those in the know to say we're here to help. Eddie Hearn has approached us and we're keen to work with Eddie and the team," Khan said.
Both fighters have remained active in the ring despite the scheduling uncertainty. Joshua sharpened his skills in July with a second‑round knockout of Kristian Prenga, though the bout was not without drama as he was knocked down twice in the opening round before rallying to secure the win. Fury, meanwhile, also fought in July, delivering a decisive seventh‑round stoppage against Mariusz Wach, further cementing his status as the reigning heavyweight champion.
The potential Wembley showdown carries significant implications beyond the immediate financial windfall. A successful event would likely draw over 100,000 spectators to the stadium, generate substantial tourism revenue, and reinforce London's reputation as a premier destination for global sporting spectacles. Moreover, the fight would serve as a cultural touchstone, pitting two of Britain's most iconic athletes against each other in a historic venue.
From a broadcasting perspective, the timing of the bout remains a contentious point. Netflix, which holds streaming rights in certain territories, has advocated for a later start time to accommodate prime‑time viewing in the United States, potentially pushing the fight into the early hours of the morning for UK fans. This clash of scheduling priorities has sparked debate among fans, promoters, and city officials alike.
While some argue that a later slot could maximise global revenue, others contend that preserving a prime‑time UK start is essential for maintaining the event's local appeal and ensuring a vibrant atmosphere within the arena. In summary, Eddie Hearn's announcement of reopened talks signals a renewed push to bring the Fury‑Joshua clash back to Wembley, aligning with Mayor Sadiq Khan's public commitment to keep the fight on British soil.
The negotiations now hinge on reconciling broadcaster demands, venue logistics, and the fervent wishes of a passionate fan base. Should an agreement be reached, the result could be one of the most memorable moments in British sporting history, uniting millions of viewers worldwide in a celebration of heavyweight boxing excellence.