Hearn On Fury-Joshua UK Venue Battle

Eddie Hearn says Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua is being steered toward Madison Square Garden over his objections.

The Matchroom promoter told Bad Left Hook that backers including Turki Alalshikh and Netflix want the heavyweight showdown in New York despite the original deal calling for a UK staging. Hearn said he remains opposed but is caught between contract terms and partners pushing an American venue.

Hearn Says Original Contract Called For UK Staging

"We signed for this fight in the UK," Hearn said, per the report. "We are desperate to deliver this fight for UK fans. However, everybody else wants the fight in America." He added that Madison Square Garden is the proposed site, with stakeholders arguing it will deliver bigger numbers than a British venue.

Hearn said the situation has put him in an awkward spot. "We wouldn't have signed the agreement in its form if it was in America," he explained, adding that the parties could either breach the contract or reach a new agreement. He acknowledged that Alalshikh and Netflix are partners but said changing the location is not a simple swap.

The promoter said he sees no indication Fury would resist the move. Hearn told the outlet he believes taking the fight anywhere other than Britain would be a shame but conceded he may not win the argument. No date or final venue has been announced for the bout.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — ‘Everybody else wants the fight in America’: Eddie Hearn talks difficulty in staging Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua in the UK