Hearn: Joshua-Fury Fight Could Happen Despite Venue Dispute
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn remains confident that the long-awaited Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury heavyweight clash will go ahead despite an ongoing dispute over the proposed venue.
Hearn described this week as a “crunch week” in negotiations, with both fighters already contracted to face each other.
The major sticking point is the location. Joshua’s contract reportedly stipulates that the bout must be staged in the United Kingdom, while organisers, including Netflix and Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh, favour an American venue to maximise the fight’s appeal to the US market.
Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as the preferred alternative, with November 20 currently being targeted for the fight.
Hearn revealed that he has submitted revisions to the agreement that could allow the bout to take place in the United States.
The proposed changes include an increased purse for Joshua to compensate for the higher tax burden associated with fighting in America.
“We’re running out of time. Well, we’re not running out of time because we’re ready,” Hearn said.
He added that Joshua is already progressing with his recovery and is preparing to return to full training, but said additional media commitments could disrupt the boxer’s preparations.
Hearn maintained that his preference remains for the fight to take place in Britain, in line with the existing agreement.
“If they can accept what we put forward and everything can be wrapped up and they really want to do it, we’re going to be having that conversation,” he said.
However, Hearn admitted that the fight could be pushed back to December if the November date cannot be secured, although neither he nor Joshua wants the bout delayed until 2027.
Joshua, 36, is coming off a July knockout victory over Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga, while Fury, 38, recorded a seven-round win over Polish veteran Mariusz Wach on the same weekend.
Both former heavyweight champions are therefore on similar schedules as negotiations continue over what would be one of boxing’s most anticipated all-British heavyweight encounters.
Hearn described this week as a “crunch week” in negotiations, with both fighters already contracted to face each other.
The major sticking point is the location. Joshua’s contract reportedly stipulates that the bout must be staged in the United Kingdom, while organisers, including Netflix and Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh, favour an American venue to maximise the fight’s appeal to the US market.
Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as the preferred alternative, with November 20 currently being targeted for the fight.
Hearn revealed that he has submitted revisions to the agreement that could allow the bout to take place in the United States.
The proposed changes include an increased purse for Joshua to compensate for the higher tax burden associated with fighting in America.
“We’re running out of time. Well, we’re not running out of time because we’re ready,” Hearn said.
He added that Joshua is already progressing with his recovery and is preparing to return to full training, but said additional media commitments could disrupt the boxer’s preparations.
Hearn maintained that his preference remains for the fight to take place in Britain, in line with the existing agreement.
“If they can accept what we put forward and everything can be wrapped up and they really want to do it, we’re going to be having that conversation,” he said.
However, Hearn admitted that the fight could be pushed back to December if the November date cannot be secured, although neither he nor Joshua wants the bout delayed until 2027.
Joshua, 36, is coming off a July knockout victory over Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga, while Fury, 38, recorded a seven-round win over Polish veteran Mariusz Wach on the same weekend.
Both former heavyweight champions are therefore on similar schedules as negotiations continue over what would be one of boxing’s most anticipated all-British heavyweight encounters.
