Netflix pressures Anthony Joshua over potential fight venue
Netflix has intensified its efforts to persuade Anthony Joshua to agree to Madison Square Garden as the venue for his anticipated clash with Tyson Fury, airing a dramatic promotional teaser for the fight before an official announcement has been made, reports BritPanorama.
The streaming service, alongside Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh, is aiming for Fury and Joshua to finally meet at the iconic New York venue this autumn, with a date of November 20 currently under consideration.
However, Joshua’s team is pushing back, citing a prior agreement that specifies the fight must occur in the UK. This has resulted in a notable impasse, with Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, even warning that his fighter could withdraw if a New York location is announced unilaterally.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Netflix’s decision to advertise the showdown hints at continued preparations for the fight, regardless of the lack of a confirmed venue or formal declaration. A trailer aired during Monday Night Raw sparked considerable intrigue among boxing fans.
Fans expressed confusion and excitement over the promotional material, with reactions ranging from surprise over the premature marketing to speculation that Netflix may be gauging audience interest before finalizing the location.
Notably, the choice of WWE programming for the promotion is significant; WWE, owned by the TKO Group, has been crucial in lobbying for Fury versus Joshua to take place in New York.
UFC and Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White recently disclosed having negotiated the television and venue agreements for this promising heavyweight matchup. Nevertheless, Joshua’s camp insists that any venue changes cannot proceed without their consent.
Hearn has confirmed previous communications regarding a potential New York announcement, firmly rebuffing those attempts. He stated, “The other day they wrote to us and said, ‘Just to let you know, we would like to announce the fight for New York’.” Hearn made it clear that without their agreement, the fight “would not take place”.
He later asserted their strong stance: “I promise you, if they announce that fight without an agreement in place to change the venue, there will be no fight and we aren’t bluffing.” This underscores the unwavering commitment of Joshua’s team to hold the fight in the UK.
While there exists a possibility for Joshua’s team to reconsider, Hearn mentioned that it would require a substantial financial incentive to persuade them to agree to a venue change. He expressed the desire to ensure that, if the fight were to be staged in America, it comes with significant compensation: “We want to make it so much money that they just say, ‘You know what, let’s just do it in England’.” In their view, the fight belongs on home turf.
As negotiations continue, the landscape remains fluid, reflecting the complexities that often accompany high-stakes sports matchups. The pressure now mounts on Joshua to find a path forward, balancing the allure of a New York showdown against the desire of fans to witness this historic event on British soil.
