Joshua vs Fury fight could be hosted in the US
Anthony Joshua’s potential fight against Tyson Fury may take place in the United States, as promoter Eddie Hearn expressed a willingness to discuss alternate venue arrangements despite an existing contract stipulating that the bout must occur in the UK, reports BritPanorama.
Hearn noted that Turki Al-Sheikh, the Saudi official financing what he called an “extortionate” bill for the anticipated boxing match, has not yet finalised a location. This uncertainty has positioned the US as a leading contender to host the event, despite contractual obligations that favour the fighters’ home country.
Hearn detailed the situation in comments to Sky Sports, stating, “Turki Al-Sheikh is paying the bill, and it’s an extortionate one, so it’s got to work for him. But we signed up for the fight to take place in the UK, and it’s very clear within our contract that that’s where the fight has to happen.” He further acknowledged that any shift to a US venue would require further negotiations, adding, “If there’s another reason why it might be more beneficial for us to do it in America, we’ll have those conversations.”
Joshua has made it clear that he prefers the fight to be staged in the UK, as emphasised in Hearn’s comments: “AJ was quite insistent that the fight take place in the UK, and that’s why we put it into the contract.” Meanwhile, neither a date nor a location has been officially revealed for the fight, with Fury’s promoter Frank Warren confident the showdown will happen sometime late in 2026.
Fury is set to return to the ring on August 1 in Dublin, though his opponent has not yet been specified. Hearn reassured fans that considerations regarding venue logistics would not detract from Joshua’s focus on his upcoming fight against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga on July 25.
“Because of the working relationship with Turki Al-Sheikh, that’s something that he wants to do,” said Hearn, as he sought to alleviate any concerns about potential delays stemming from discussions about the fight’s location.
The willingness to contemplate a US venue underscores the ever-evolving landscape of professional boxing and the financial stakes involved. With high-profile clashes increasingly dictated by complex contractual negotiations and lucrative offers, both fans and fighters will be keenly observing how this situation unfolds.
All of this is contingent, of course, on Joshua’s immediate task at hand. As he prepares for a crucial bout, one cannot help but ponder how the unpredictable nature of boxing continues to shape narratives, making every fighter’s journey both a personal and public spectacle.
