Promoter Eddie Hearn insists that he and Anthony Joshua are still battling to ensure the heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury, slated for November, takes place in the UK.
BoxingScene recently reported that the contest is all but set for New York, with Madison Square Garden the venue. Turki Alalshikh, alongside streaming platform Netflix, are understood to prefer the US due to a belief that it will generate a far greater broadcast audience.
Most parties, and there is several vying for some kind of ownership, are believed to have agreed on New York, with deposits being paid to Madison Square Garden. With one crucial exception.
Joshua, stipulated in his original contract that the bout must occur on home soil, a fact that Hearn has constantly reiterated since the beginning of this long and winding saga. BoxingScene understands that Fury’s contract did not have the same condition, however.
There was briefly talk that the bout might be staged at London’s Wembley Stadium. However, with Alalshikh requesting ringwalks no earlier than 2am, that talk appeared to fizzle out.
Dana White, of Zuffa Boxing, has also had plenty to say on the matter. He has promised that he will be the event’s promoter and has long known where the bout will take place. He repeated those claims this week.
“We’re the ones that have done all the deals for this fight,” White told Sky Sports. “I did the deal for the venue, that’s why I know where the venue is. At the end of the day, here’s the truth, you’re going to go where the money is.”
Hearn, though quick to point out that New York has not been refused by Team Joshua, has again been forced to make clear his charge’s contract would need to be rewritten before the bout between two British heavyweights can take place in America.
I feel like myself and Anthony Joshua are the last men standing, with the Union Jack, saying ‘we shall not be moved’,” Hearn told Track Radio. “But in reality, we’re doing everything we can to keep this fight in the UK. [New York] can’t be [a done deal] because it’s a breach of contract, unless we agree.
“By the way, I’m not saying there’s no chance of us agreeing, but at the moment we remain firm. Anthony Joshua’s instruction to me is, ‘we’re fighting for it in the UK, do everything you can to get this fight in the UK.’
“But we also understand we’re under a lot of pressure. Netflix want it in America. Turki Alalshikh wants it in America. Sounds like Tyson Fury wants it in America. So, you know, we’ll keep fighting the fight but I can’t tell you how it’s going to play out.”
