Story by Jack Otway
British boxing fans are facing the prospect of missing out on the biggest domestic heavyweight showdown in a generation after Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury moved a step closer to finally agreeing their long-awaited clash.
Following convincing victories for both men over Kristian Prenga and Mariusz Wach, momentum has gathered around a fight that has been years in the making.
But rather than taking place in front of a packed Wembley Stadium or Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, the blockbuster contest is now expected to head to the United States in a decision that is likely to leave many UK supporters frustrated.
According to Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix, broadcaster Netflix has played a major role in shaping plans for the event and is pushing for the fight to be staged in America.
Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as the overwhelming favourite to host the heavyweight spectacle, with it now “almost certain” the bout will take place Stateside.
If confirmed, it would represent another significant departure from tradition.
Instead of the customary Saturday night slot synonymous with British boxing’s biggest occasions, Netflix is reportedly targeting a Friday evening event.
British boxing fans are facing the prospect of missing out on the biggest domestic heavyweight showdown in a generation after Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury moved a step closer to finally agreeing their long-awaited clash | Source: GETTY© GB News
November 20 has been identified as one possible date, although negotiations remain ongoing and no official announcement has yet been made.
The reasoning behind the unusual scheduling is believed to be to avoid a clash with the lucrative US college football calendar, allowing the fight to dominate the American sports landscape.
Netflix has previously favoured Friday fight nights, with the only notable exception coming when Terence Crawford defeated Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision last September.
Anthony Joshua recently returned to winning ways | Source: GETTY© GB News
For British fans, however, the prospect of the country’s two biggest heavyweight stars meeting thousands of miles away is likely to prove a bitter pill to swallow after years of waiting for the contest to become reality.
Joshua and Fury have repeatedly been linked with one another over the past decade, only for negotiations to collapse on multiple occasions.
Now, with both fighters back winning again, confidence is growing that the long-running saga will finally reach its conclusion.
The contest could also represent one of the final appearances of Fury’s legendary career.
Speaking recently, the former world champion insisted he intends to walk away from boxing once 2026 comes to an end.
Tyson Fury has indicated 2026 will be his final year in boxing | Source: X/@boxingkingmedia© GB News
“This is my final year,” Fury said.
“That’s why I want to be active. I don’t want to go on until I’m 65 years old.”
When asked if supporters were watching the closing chapter of his career, Fury removed any lingering doubt.
“This is the last year, yeah. Final year, 26,” he added.
