Joshua vs Fury Fight Faces Venue Crisis as Hearn Ready to Pull Out
The proposed blockbuster clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has hit a fresh stumbling block, with a dispute over the venue threatening to derail the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown.
The Battle of Britain is currently targeted for November, but Joshua’s camp has warned that the fight could be called off if organisers move the contest to the United States without an agreement.
Wembley Stadium had initially been considered the leading venue for the bout.
However, Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as a strong alternative following concerns over the proposed start time in the United Kingdom.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is reportedly in favour of New York, with the American venue viewed as capable of attracting a wider global audience.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has made it clear that the former two-time unified heavyweight champion remains committed to fighting in the United Kingdom.
Hearn previously warned that Joshua’s camp would pull out if a New York venue was announced without an agreement to move the fight away from Britain.
However, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, insists the disagreement does not necessarily mean the fight is in danger.
Speaking to BoxNation, Warren said Fury’s contractual position differs from Hearn’s account and maintained that the fight can still happen.
“Tyson Fury has his agreement, which states something different. The fight will happen,” Warren said.
But Warren also acknowledged that both sides must reach an agreement.
“They’re either going to agree to it or not. If they don’t agree to it, then the fight won’t happen,” he added.
Fury reportedly signed his agreement for the contest in January, when the bout was initially expected to take place in September before being postponed.
Both heavyweights have since returned to action in tune-up bouts, with Fury defeating Mariusz Wach in Thailand, while Joshua stopped Kristian Prenga in Jeddah after surviving two knockdowns in the opening round.
With November still the target, the venue dispute remains the biggest obstacle to what is expected to be one of boxing’s biggest heavyweight attractions.
