Fury-Joshua fight only held abroad if terms renegotiated: Hearn

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 27, 2026

Plans for the heavyweight boxing match between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in late 2026 are currently stalled due to a dispute over the venue, with Joshua's team insisting the fight must take place at Wembley Stadium in the UK, while Saudi Arabian promoters are pushing for Madison Square Garden in New York. The outcome of these negotiations will determine not only the location but also the timing of the bout, as both sides weigh contractual obligations against maximizing global viewership and maintaining the fighters' legacies.

Plans for the highly anticipated heavyweight boxing match between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are currently centered on a venue dispute, with promoters and partners debating the location of the bout slated for later this year.

The fight, expected to take place in October or November 2026, was initially agreed upon to occur in the United Kingdom, specifically at Wembley Stadium, according to Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn. Hearn emphasized that the contract signed three months ago legally binds the fight to the UK, reflecting Joshua’s own preference for the bout to remain on British soil. “This is a British fight,” Hearn stated, underscoring the importance both he and Joshua place on hosting the event within their home country. Joshua himself expressed concern that holding the fight elsewhere could diminish the legacy of both fighters, noting that Wembley carries significant historical value for such a contest. He dismissed alternative UK venues like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, reaffirming Wembley as the intended location.

However, Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Arabian sports chief involved in promoting the fight, has proposed that the event be held outside the UK, with Madison Square Garden in New York emerging as a favored option. Alalshikh's preference reportedly stems from a desire to schedule the fight at a time that maximizes a global audience, which could necessitate a late-night or early-morning start in the UK. This has led to discussions about potentially securing exemptions to Wembley Stadium’s existing curfews.

Despite Alalshikh’s ambitions, Eddie Hearn has maintained that relocating the fight outside the UK would require renegotiating the existing contract, which was carefully structured after extensive legal consultation. Hearn highlighted his constructive partnership with Alalshikh but made clear that only Joshua and his own agreement could alter the venue arrangement. “The only way the fight doesn’t take place in England is if Anthony Joshua and myself agree to it,” he said.

As both fighters have recently secured victories—Joshua stopping Kristian Prenga in the second round and Fury defeating Mariusz Wach in Thailand—the bout’s build-up continues amid negotiations over its location. While Madison Square Garden is recognized as a prestigious venue capable of attracting significant international attention, promoters for Joshua insist the event’s cultural and sporting significance is tied intrinsically to the UK.

At present, the fight is officially signed and considered settled, but the coming weeks are expected to bring further clarity on whether the bout remains at Wembley or moves abroad. Both camps appear open to dialogue but remain firm on the contractual and legacy issues that underpin the debate over where the ‘British heavyweight showdown’ will take place.

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.