The eagerly awaited all-British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is contractually bound to take place in the United Kingdom, according to Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn. This assertion comes as Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has reportedly expressed a preference for staging the bout at Madison Square Garden in New York, aiming for a global audience with a potential 2 am UK start time.
Hearn, speaking after Joshua's recent second-round stoppage of Kristian Prenga, emphasised the legal solidity of the agreement signed three months ago. He stated that the contract explicitly dictates a UK venue, and any deviation would necessitate a complete renegotiation. He highlighted the extensive legal work and conversations undertaken to ensure every aspect of the deal was correct, with a firm insistence on the fight being held on home soil.
Anthony Joshua himself echoed Hearn's sentiments, expressing his belief that the legacy of both fighters would be diminished if their long-anticipated encounter did not unfold in the UK. Joshua revealed that from the outset of negotiations, Wembley Stadium was the only venue mentioned or agreed upon. He dismissed speculation about other locations, reinforcing that the roadmap always pointed to a UK fight, specifically at Wembley, given its historical significance for such major events.
While acknowledging Turki Alalshikh as a significant partner and supporter of Anthony Joshua, Hearn made it clear that despite this strong relationship, the contractual terms are paramount. He stressed that the only way the fight would move outside England is if both Anthony Joshua and he personally agreed to it, underscoring the legally binding nature of the extensively negotiated contract.
The fight, which is expected to take place in October or November 2026, has been described by Hearn as a spectacle primarily for the British public. He argued that while Madison Square Garden is a great venue, the Fury vs Joshua clash is an event that will be remembered across generations, making a UK setting particularly poignant. As it stands, Hearn maintains that the fight is signed and made, and the coming weeks will reveal the next steps in this high-stakes negotiation.