- Fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua must happen in the UK.
- Contract stipulates venue, where Wembley is favored.
- Saudi boxing chief suggests alternative locations, including New York.
- Joshua firmly prioritizes British fans and history of Wembley Stadium.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter representing Anthony Joshua, has firmly stated that the long-anticipated boxing matchup against fellow British champion Tyson Fury is destined to take place in the United Kingdom. According to Hearn, the terms of the fight deal established three months ago explicitly mandate this stipulation.
The Saudi Arabian boxing chief, Turki Alalshikh, is reportedly eager to stage this monumental clash at a time designed to capture the largest worldwide audience. However, should the event be held at Wembley Stadium, it would require navigating the venue’s strict curfew regulations, especially if a 2:00 am (0200 GMT) start time is desired.
As conversations around potential venues evolve, Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as a possibility. Nonetheless, Hearn remains resolute, asserting that Joshua has committed to a UK-hosted fight. To consider another location, the existing contract would necessitate a thorough renegotiation.
“There’s a reason we put contracts together,” remarked Hearn after Joshua’s impressive second-round stoppage victory over Kristian Prenga in Jeddah. This win has kept Joshua on course for a showdown with Fury, just one day following Fury’s own victory over Mariusz Wach in Thailand.
Hearn emphasizes that Joshua himself expressed a strong desire for the fight to occur in the UK, stating, “I want the fight in the UK. This is a British fight.” The promoter shares this sentiment, acknowledging that any decision to shift the bout's location would require mutual agreement between him and Joshua, given the legally binding contract they negotiated extensively.
Joshua, highlighting the significance of Wembley as a venue, asserted that the iconic 90,000-capacity stadium—renowned as the home of English football—represents the only fitting setting for this historic matchup. “When these conversations started, there was no other venue or location that was ever mentioned,” he declared.
“It was simple. This is the roadmap. You fight, come back, fight, and then providing you’re victorious, you’ll be fighting Tyson Fury in the UK, basically Wembley.” Joshua emphasized that venues like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or the Principality Stadium in Cardiff don't hold the same historic value for this monumental fight.
Why This Matters
This bout is not only critical for both fighters' careers but also represents a significant cultural event for boxing fans in the UK.