After nearly a decade of anticipation, negotiations are underway for a highly anticipated heavyweight boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, with the event’s location and financial terms causing significant tension among stakeholders.

Discussions over the fight, initially proposed by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn in December 2014, have resurfaced with renewed intensity. The bout was originally slated to take place at Wembley Stadium in London. However, recent developments indicated a potential shift to Madison Square Garden in New York City, scheduled for November 20. This proposed venue change sparked frustration among Joshua’s camp, who contend that a contract signed three months ago specified a UK-based location.

Central to the dispute is the impact of tax obligations on the fighters’ earnings. Sources close to the negotiations reveal that staging the fight in the United States could result in a 30 percent withholding tax on the purses, compared to approximately 20 percent in the UK for non-resident individuals. Given that both Joshua and Fury are projected to earn around $100 million each, the difference could amount to nearly $10 million in lost income for Joshua, who reportedly resides in Dubai.

While Fury’s side has not publicly objected to the US tax implications, Joshua’s team perceives the potential financial hit as a significant factor fueling their opposition to the venue change. The dispute also reflects broader concerns about the event’s timing and broadcast arrangements, with Netflix and the Saudi promotion company Sela—led by Turki Alalshikh—appearing to prioritize American viewing schedules.

Alalshikh has played a notable role behind the scenes, reportedly pressuring London City Hall in early July to allow a later start time for the fight to accommodate US audiences. Critics argue this move may have been more symbolic than substantive, as official requests to the mayor’s office reportedly came only in mid-August. London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly expressed his desire to host the fight and stated that a later start time would not present an obstacle.

Eddie Hearn has strongly criticized the prospect of moving the event outside the UK, calling it “a disgrace” and emphasizing the importance of honoring the original agreement. Yet the complex interplay of financial, logistical, and broadcast considerations continues to cast doubt over the venue’s final decision.

As negotiations proceed, the longstanding delays and recurring obstacles in arranging a Joshua-Fury confrontation highlight the challenges inherent in high-profile boxing promotions. Whether the fight ultimately takes place in London or New York remains uncertain, but the stakes—both financial and reputational—ensure that close attention will remain on the unfolding developments.