Fury’s manager Spencer Brown says his confidence had weakened during the past week.
“Everybody’s got a bit of doubt in their mind. There’s reasons you could think that. If you’d asked me a week ago, I’d have said no, but now it’s a little bit concerning that things haven’t progressed down the line,” Spencer said to Sky Sports Boxing. “We need to get this fight on.”
Brown provided no evidence that Joshua intends to walk away. His comments sound like an effort to force the remaining parties into making a decision before Fury loses more preparation time.
Wembley Stadium was the preferred location, but Brown conceded that hope has nearly disappeared. Madison Square Garden in New York has become the leading alternative, giving Netflix a Friday night event during prime viewing hours in the United States.
Moving the fight across the Atlantic requires a revised agreement. Joshua signed for a UK event, giving Eddie Hearn and Matchroom leverage in negotiations over the proposed relocation.
Brown no longer seems concerned about preserving the British setting. His priority is getting Fury into camp with a firm date and venue.
“A decision must be made. Let’s get the fight on wherever it is, whether it’s in Timbuktu or whether it’s in Wembley Stadium,” Brown said. “We just want to get it announced. People are getting bored. We’re in danger of really boring people.”
That is the greater risk created by the delay. Fury against Joshua sold itself when both men held world titles and remained closer to their physical peaks. Now it is a lucrative farewell event involving two aging former champions.
The fight will still draw a massive audience, but weeks of contradictory claims have replaced excitement with arguments over contracts and location. Brown says Fury and his team are prepared to begin camp immediately. They still need the final decision that everyone involved has repeatedly promised.
