Barry Hearn has urged London Mayor Sadiq Khan to assist in hosting the highly anticipated Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury heavyweight showdown in the English capital. At present, the showdown between the British fighters is expected to occur in the United States or potentially fall through, stemming from a contractual disagreement.
Joshua’s contract specifies a fight on UK soil, whereas Fury’s contract allows more location flexibility. Alongside key figures, Fury is advocating for the bout to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 20. This venue was initially suggested after difficulties arose regarding the ring-walk times at Wembley Stadium, where the main event would need to start at 2 a.m. BST, a scheduling conflict highlighted by Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh.
Barry Hearn, whose son Eddie is Joshua’s promoter, has now spoken out on the issue. He expressed hope that the fight will happen and insisted it ought to be held in London. Hearn believes Mayor Khan will do everything possible to secure a late-night extension, accommodating the U.S. prime-time audience. While it may cause some inconvenience, Hearn argues that British fans deserve to witness this monumental fight in Wembley and spend their money supporting it in person.
Reflecting on the negotiations, Hearn admitted he finds the situation confusing, as his approach is usually straightforward and rule-based. He emphasized the integrity with which they signed the contract for the Joshua-Fury fight, underlining that Joshua, their client, expects the fight to take place in the UK, as agreed. Although the other side now seems to prefer New York, Hearn made clear that Joshua wants to honor the British fans who have waited a decade for this bout. It’s about adhering to the contract’s literal terms, not just money. Hearn cautioned that assuming they can unilaterally change the agreement misunderstands how boxing contracts work and that such changes won’t come without consequences.
Both former champions, Joshua (36) and Fury (38), last competed in July. Fury easily defeated 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Thailand in a bout that was not broadcast, one day before Joshua overcame two shocking knockdowns in the first round to stop Kristian Prenga in the second. Joshua’s recent fight came seven months after a severe car accident in Nigeria which tragically claimed the lives of two of his teammates.
Fan Take:
This standoff is crucial because a Joshua vs. Fury fight on home turf would electrify British boxing fans and honor the sport’s legacy in England. Securing the fight in London could ignite renewed passion and attention toward heavyweight boxing, benefiting fighters and fans alike worldwide.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
