Sadiq Khan urges Joshua and Fury to choose London for their heavyweight showdown
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to host their blockbuster fight in the capital, urging the pair’s promoters to get in touch, reports BritPanorama.
Khan has expressed a strong preference for the bout to take place at Wembley Stadium, amid increasing speculation that it may be staged at Madison Square Garden in New York. He stated, “A message to the promoters – we want to host it in London. Talk to us; we’re really keen to have it.”
While organisers and broadcasters reportedly support a US venue, Khan insists the fight belongs on home soil. “Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are two great British boxers. Both have been world champions. They both recognise and love the fans in this country who have supported them throughout their careers, amateur and professional,” he added.
The potential New York location gained traction following a fulfilled demand from Joshua’s camp, led by promoter Eddie Hearn. One condition was the full payment of Joshua’s purse from his recent victory, which has now been met. Hearn is pushing for the remaining terms to be finalised soon, with hopes of a formal announcement for November 20.
Hearn confirmed the preference for Wembley, highlighting that the venue dispute has been a significant hurdle in negotiations. Joshua’s team had an understanding that the fight would be staged in London, but streaming giant Netflix and Saudi financiers have been resolute about hosting it across the Atlantic.
Hearn also underscored the need for negotiations to accommodate Joshua’s financial interests, considering the higher tax burdens in the United States. “We don’t want to do the fight in the US, but we also understand it has to work for everybody,” he remarked, acknowledging that the tax implications pose a serious concern for Joshua’s earnings.
As the race to secure the venue continues, the fate of this much-anticipated battle remains uncertain, underscoring both the passion of British fans and the complexities of modern boxing economics. In the end, how the wheels of sport move in tandem with financial realities could redefine where this monumental clash finds its stage.
