RismadarVoice Reporters
July 26, 2026
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted that the much-anticipated heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury must take place in the United Kingdom, saying the existing agreement signed by both camps stipulates that the bout will be staged on home soil.
The long-awaited all-British contest is expected to take place in October or November, with growing speculation over the venue following reports that Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is considering staging the fight at a location that would maximise its global television audience.
Among the options reportedly being discussed is Madison Square Garden in New York, while there have also been suggestions that a late-night start at Wembley Stadium could accommodate international broadcast schedules. Such a plan, however, would require an exemption from the venue’s existing curfew restrictions.
Speaking after Joshua’s emphatic second-round stoppage victory over Kristian Prenga in Jeddah on Saturday, Hearn maintained that any proposal to move the fight outside the UK would require a fresh round of negotiations.
According to the Matchroom Boxing chairman, Joshua agreed to the contest on the understanding that it would be held in Britain, making the current agreement legally binding.
“There is a reason contracts are negotiated and signed,” Hearn said.
“We insisted this fight would take place in the UK. Anthony Joshua made it clear that he wanted this fight in Britain because it is a British fight, and I completely agree with him.”
Hearn acknowledged the role played by Turki Alalshikh in promoting major boxing events and supporting Joshua’s career but stressed that relocating the fight would require the consent of both Joshua and his management team.
“Turki Alalshikh has been an incredible partner and supporter of Anthony Joshua. Of course, we would have discussions if circumstances changed, but the only way this fight leaves England is if Anthony Joshua and I agree to it because we have a legally binding contract that took a long time to negotiate,” he said.
He added that the bout is one British boxing fans have anticipated for years and deserves to be staged before a home audience.
“This is a fight for the British public,” Hearn said.
Joshua also reiterated his preference for Wembley Stadium, describing it as the natural venue for what many regard as one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
The former two-time world heavyweight champion said discussions about the contest had always centred on Wembley and that he expected the showdown to take place there if both fighters emerged victorious from their respective comeback bouts.
“When these conversations started, no other venue or location was ever mentioned,” Joshua said.
“The plan was straightforward: fight, win, fight again, and then face Tyson Fury at Wembley in the UK.”
He added that, while other venues such as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or the Principality Stadium in Cardiff are world-class facilities, Wembley remains the most fitting stage because of its history and significance.
Joshua’s victory over Prenga came less than 24 hours after Fury recorded a stoppage win against Mariusz Wach in Thailand, keeping both former world heavyweight champions on course for a clash that boxing fans have awaited for several years.
