USA to Host Joshua vs Fury Match

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s long-awaited Battle of Britain heavyweight clash is expected to take place in the United States, with Madison Square Garden in New York emerging as the preferred venue after broadcaster Netflix reportedly pushed negotiations away from the United Kingdom.

The blockbuster contest, one of the most anticipated fights in modern boxing, has been discussed for years but repeatedly failed to materialise. Now, reports indicate that both camps are closing in on an agreement, with the fight likely to be staged before an American audience instead of British fans.

According to Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix, the bout is “almost certain” to take place in the United States, with Netflix favouring a Friday night schedule rather than the traditional Saturday night format commonly associated with major British boxing events. One proposed date is November 20, selected partly to avoid competing with the popularity of college football broadcasts in the US.

The fight regained momentum after both heavyweights recorded victories last month. Fury, 37, stopped veteran Mariusz Wach in Thailand, while Joshua, 36, overcame an early scare against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, recovering from two first-round knockdowns before securing a knockout victory.

The showdown is expected to generate more than £100 million in prize money, making it one of the richest fights in boxing history.

Despite the growing expectation that the contest will be staged in New York, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has maintained that the former world champion’s contract specifies the fight should take place in the United Kingdom. However, Saudi boxing financier Turki Alalshikh is understood to prefer a US venue to maximise international television revenue and attract a wider American audience.

The possibility of moving the fight overseas has attracted criticism from boxing supporters, many of whom believe such a historic British rivalry deserves to be staged at Wembley Stadium.

Mannix described the decision as a significant disappointment for British boxing fans, arguing that commercial interests had taken priority over tradition.

Adding further context, Joshua’s former training partner, Richard Riakporhe, disclosed that the two-time heavyweight champion has been preparing for a potential Fury showdown for the past five years after previous negotiations collapsed on two occasions.

Although discussions continue between promoters and broadcasters, neither the official fight date nor venue has been formally confirmed.