Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s long-awaited heavyweight showdown is increasingly likely to be staged in the United States, with New York’s Madison Square Garden emerging as the leading venue.
The fight is expected to take place in November 2026 after both former world heavyweight champions successfully came through their latest bouts. Reports suggest Friday, 20 November is among the dates being considered as organisers look to maximise the American television audience.
Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix reported that the contest was “almost certain” to take place in the US, with streaming giant Netflix said to favour an American venue and a Friday-night schedule. Madison Square Garden in New York is currently regarded as the frontrunner.
For British supporters who have waited years to see Joshua and Fury settle their rivalry, the prospect of the fight leaving Britain is proving controversial.
Joshua’s contract creates obstacle to US move
A major issue remains Joshua’s existing agreement.
Hearn has repeatedly said the signed contract requires the fight to be staged in Britain, meaning the terms would have to be renegotiated before organisers could formally move the contest to New York or another American venue.
Hearn reiterated his opposition on Friday, arguing that Joshua specifically wanted the bout in Britain and that changing the location would require new financial and contractual terms. Netflix and Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh are reported to favour New York because it could provide a more attractive prime-time slot for US viewers.
This means reports that the Joshua vs Fury fight will take place in America should not yet be treated as an official venue announcement.
Madison Square Garden emerges as favourite
Madison Square Garden would provide one of boxing’s most famous stages, but it would also carry significant history for Joshua.
The British-Nigerian heavyweight suffered one of the biggest shocks of his career at the New York venue in June 2019, when Andy Ruiz Jr stopped him and took his heavyweight titles.
Joshua later regained the belts in their rematch in Saudi Arabia.
A move to New York would therefore send Joshua back to the venue associated with his first professional defeat, while giving Fury another major international stage.
The proposed timing is also unusual. Major British boxing contests are traditionally held on Saturday nights, but organisers are considering a Friday date partly to avoid competition with college football and other major sporting events in America.
That could mean a less convenient viewing time for British audiences, another reason some UK boxing supporters have criticised the proposed move.
Joshua and Fury clear final in-ring hurdles
The negotiations gained momentum after both fighters won their respective comeback bouts in July.
Fury, 37, stopped veteran Mariusz Wach in Thailand, while Joshua, 36, recovered after being knocked down twice in the opening round against Kristian Prenga before securing a knockout victory in Jeddah.
Those victories removed two major sporting risks to the proposed showdown.
New Daily Prime has followed Joshua’s career closely, including his victory over Jake Paul in Miami and the continuing speculation surrounding a future Fury fight. Readers can revisit New Daily Prime’s report on Joshua’s victory over Jake Paul.
The publication has also reported on proposals for
Anthony Joshua to stage a fight in Nigeria.
Joshua faces Prenga today in crucial heavyweight comeback fight
£100m-plus purse underlines scale of fight
The purse for Joshua versus Fury has been estimated at more than £100 million, reflecting the commercial value of a contest that British boxing supporters have discussed for more than a decade.
Previous attempts to arrange the fight collapsed, even when both men were closer to the peak of their careers.
Joshua is a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, while Fury is a former WBC champion and previously held several of the division’s major belts.
Their careers took different paths in recent years, including defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, but the rivalry remains commercially attractive because of their profiles in British and international boxing.
Joshua’s former training partner Richard Riakporhe told reporters that Joshua had been preparing for the possibility of facing Fury on and off for about five years.
