Fury vs Joshua at Wembley hangs by a thread – will US TV slot come knocking? The much-anticipated heavyweight showdown between British boxing giants Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is inching closer, but it's being held hostage by the demands of American television. Saudi Arabia's top boxing brass, led by Turki Alalshikh, has given Wembley Stadium a conditional thumbs-up – but only if they can shoehorn in a US-friendly broadcast time.
This means UK fans might be treated to an early morning spectacle, with the main event potentially spilling into Sunday's daylight hours. Alalshikh insists global viewership, particularly from across the pond, will be the deciding factor: "We want it in England, but we need a world time zone, especially for America." Talks are underway with Sadiq Khan and Prince Abdullah to make this unconventional scheduling work.
The November showdown also poses a weather risk – an outdoor event at that time of year is no guarantee against the unpredictable British skies. History suggests this might not be a problem unique to Fury-Joshua, though; recall UFC 304 in Manchester, where Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad fought on at 5:00 AM local time for US viewers. Not exactly the most fan-friendly start time – with many UK spectators complaining of fatigue and disrupted travel plans.
Before their long-awaited showdown, both Fury and Joshua will be putting their skills to the test in tune-up fights. Anthony Joshua heads to Saudi Arabia on 25th July for a bout against an unknown opponent, while Tyson Fury tackles Mariusz Wach on 24th July in Thailand – where he's currently training. Don't expect either fighter to drop points; they'll likely ease into their contest with comfortable victories.
The prospect of Wembley hosting this mega-fight is still tantalising, despite the logistical headache it poses. Fans can only hope that, come November, London will be abuzz with anticipation – and a US TV slot won't cast a shadow over the proceedings.