Anthony Joshua and Team Resist Move to Stage Fight in New York

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 7, 2026

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are negotiating the location and timing of their highly anticipated heavyweight bout, with debates over whether it should be held in the UK as contracted or moved to the US to suit American broadcast schedules. The outcome will influence not only the fighters' legacies and financial arrangements but also fan accessibility, with promoters emphasizing the fight will proceed in November despite ongoing logistical challenges.

British heavyweight boxers Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are set to face each other in a long-anticipated bout that is currently the subject of negotiations centered around its location and timing. The fight, originally contracted to take place in the United Kingdom this autumn, is now facing pressure to be staged in the United States to accommodate American broadcast schedules.

Joshua and Fury signed agreements earlier this year with the intention of meeting in the UK, with Wembley Stadium in London the initial favored venue. However, the fight’s broadcast partner, Netflix, has expressed a preference for a start time suitable for the American audience, which would require the bout to begin as late as 4 a.m. UK time if held at Wembley. Saudi Arabian fight organizers, led by Turki Alalshikh, have shown strong interest in hosting the event at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday, November 20, to reach a global audience more effectively.

Joshua, who is reportedly concerned about the impact on his legacy if the fight is moved abroad, has inserted a contractual clause mandating that the bout must take place in the UK. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has emphasized their resistance to relocating the fight, describing their stance as a commitment to ensure the fight remains on British soil and making it financially prohibitive to shift the venue to the United States.

In contrast, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren declined to confirm the fight’s location or date but expressed confidence that the bout will proceed in November. Warren noted that any announcement regarding the venue is pending from Alalshikh and indicated that the fighters are expected to begin training in September. He acknowledged the difficulties in adjusting Wembley Stadium’s curfew to accommodate a late-night start time for a UK audience and suggested that a change to begin the fight earlier is unlikely.

Questions have also been raised about Joshua’s recent performances, notably his surprising knockdowns in a warm-up fight against Kristian Prenga last month and debates over whether he should schedule additional preparatory bouts before facing Fury. Warren dismissed the idea of further fights, stating that Joshua has been steadily training and that prolonging the preparation period would only age both fighters without tangible benefit.

Both promoters recognize the high stakes and intensity of the matchup, which has been dubbed the "Battle of Britain." Warren characterized the fighters as highly motivated, with both men eager to win decisively. While Warren personally favors Fury to win, he acknowledged that the outcome will ultimately be determined in the ring when the fight begins.

As the negotiations continue, the primary points of contention remain the fight’s location and timing, balancing contractual obligations, legacy considerations, broadcast needs, and fan engagement on both sides of the Atlantic.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.