Venue dispute delays Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury heavyweight bout
The highly anticipated heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is facing delays due to a contractual dispute over moving the bout from the United Kingdom to New York.
Contracts were initially signed for the defining all-British clash to take place on home soil.
However, Saudi Arabian backer Turki Alalshikh and broadcasting partner Netflix are now pushing for the event to be staged at Madison Square Garden.
Contractual standoff
Eddie Hearn insists that the current agreement explicitly guarantees a British venue, likely Wembley Stadium.
The Matchroom promoter is seeking a contract addendum and additional compensation before agreeing to a transatlantic shift.
A provisional date of Friday, 20 November has been floated for the New York spectacle.
Despite both British fighters currently sitting without world titles, the financial muscle of Netflix and Zuffa Boxing is driving the demand for a US primetime audience.
Broadcaster demands
The proposed move to the United States has sparked farcical discussions regarding ring walks taking place in London during the early hours of the morning.
Hearn remains determined to protect the interests of his fighter amid growing pressure from international stakeholders.
“Everybody involved in the fight wants the fight to take place at Madison Square Garden, apart from Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn, who have a clear contract that says the fight must take place in the UK.”
Eddie Hearn
“We wouldn’t have signed the contract that we signed if this fight was in America,” the boxing promoter added.