Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are signed to fight in November, with London’s Wembley Stadium emerging as the clear favorite. However, financial terms, broadcasting hurdles, and contract clauses regarding a UK venue still require renegotiation if organizers shift the bout abroad, according to recent boxing reports.
Contract Clauses and the UK Venue Mandate
The long-awaited mega-fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has finally been signed, but the paperwork contains a rigid geographic condition. According to promoter Eddie Hearn, the agreement explicitly dictates that the bout must take place in the United Kingdom.
That requirement stems from the mutual desire of both camps to stage the contest on home soil. Yet, complications arise because Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is funding the event. If financial backers push to stage the fight elsewhere—with locations such as New York’s Madison Square Garden and Las Vegas mentioned as alternatives—both fighters would need to agree to a renegotiation.
Wembley Stadium Leads the Venue Race
Among potential British venues, Wembley Stadium is the clear favourite. The national stadium previously welcomed a record 98,128 fans for Joshua’s defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium also remain under consideration.
Logistical hurdles accompany a stadium fight in late autumn. Cardiff’s venue faces scheduling conflicts with Wales rugby internationals, as the three Saturdays in between in November all host these matches, meaning the fight would have to be held on either Saturday, 31 October or Saturday, 28 November. Meanwhile, Wembley operates under a strict 23:00 curfew. London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Brent Council indicated an openness to discussions regarding an extension for this major sporting event, though sources close to the mayor told BBC Sport on Friday that organizers had not yet been in touch.
Other global locations remain part of the conversation. New York’s Madison Square Garden in November is understood to be among the leading options as Saudi organisers look to maximise the event’s appeal in America. British fans, understandably, want the fight in the United Kingdom – specifically at Wembley Stadium. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has previously suggested if the bout were staged in Britain, it would have to start in the early hours of the morning to cater for the lucrative American television audience. It would not be unprecedented, as Ricky Hatton’s fight against Kostya Tszyu in Manchester in 2005 began at about 02:00 BST while Joe Calzaghe’s victories over Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler also started after midnight.
Tune-Up Bouts and the Jeddah Comeback
Before the domestic showdown can materialize, both heavyweights must navigate preliminary bouts. Tyson Fury has said he plans to fight on August 1 in Dublin, though other reports noted his previous outing against Mariusz Wach over seven sluggish rounds in a farcical tune-up bout on Friday night in Pattaya that couldn’t even secure a broadcaster.
Joshua will make his comeback on July 25 in a tune-up bout against unfancied Albanian Kristian Prenga. Joshua will mark his return to the ring in his first fight since his knockout victory over Jake Paul in December. Shortly after his win, Joshua was involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends and left the former unified heavyweight champion with minor injuries.
A Missed Face-Off and Remaining Hurdles
With both men having inked deals with Saudi Arabian officials to fight later this year, there are still issues to iron out on either end. Dana White’s involvement is a key factor, while they are also divided over where the bout will take place. While Hearn pointed to the middle Saturday of November as a good shout, no confirmed date yet exists, leaving boxing fans waiting to see if the rivalry finally reaches the ring.
