Fury vs. Joshua Showdown: US Venue Hopes Dashed by Hearn's Revelation
Eddie Hearn has addressed intense speculation surrounding the location of the upcoming Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury heavyweight bout, denying any requests to move the fight to the U.S. While the current contract dictates a UK venue, Hearn confirmed that renegotiation could see the bout staged elsewhere, leaving the final decision up in the air.The highly anticipated heavyweight clash between British boxing titans Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has been generating significant speculation regarding its potential location. Despite mounting rumors suggesting Las Vegas as a host city, Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, has unequivocally stated that there has been no official request to hold the fight in the United States.
Joshua and Fury have both finalized deals with Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, who is the primary financial backer for the monumental bout. Initially, indications pointed towards iconic London venues such as Wembley Stadium or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the most likely hosts for the event, which is also slated for broadcast on Netflix.
However, Hearn clarified that the current contract explicitly mandates the fight to take place in the United Kingdom. He emphasized Joshua's strong insistence on this clause, citing the immense importance of the fight being staged on home soil. Hearn confirmed, "When we signed the contract, it's very clear in the contract, the fight has to take place in the U.K. It's not: 'It might.' It has to."
While the contract currently binds the fight to the UK, Hearn conceded that the situation could change if Turki Alalshikh were to make a formal request to move the event. He noted that as partners with Alalshikh, who is covering an "extortionate" bill, a renegotiation of the contract could potentially lead to the fight being staged in the U.S. or any other location Alalshikh desires. Hearn stated that they would not be difficult if a compelling reason and opportunity were presented.
Ultimately, Hearn's main priority remains the realization of the fight itself. Expressing unwavering confidence in Joshua's victory, he declared, "All I want is that fight to take place because I know he's going to win. And when he wins, I couldn't give a f--- where it is and who's involved and who's not." Adding to the uncertainty, Alalshikh himself recently confirmed that the final location for the fight has yet to be determined.