The long-awaited heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury—frequently dubbed the Battle of Britain—might actually cross the Atlantic. Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as the frontrunner to host the massive clash, a development that comes as Netflix reportedly steers negotiations away from UK soil.
According to sports reporter Chris Mannix, it is now highly likely that the fight will land in the United States. In a shift from the traditional Saturday night prime-time slots usually reserved for major British boxing events, the streaming giant is said to be pushing for a Friday night broadcast. Among the dates currently under discussion is November 20, a slot chosen specifically to prevent the broadcast from competing with the massive television ratings of American college football.
While the spectacle is projected to yield a staggering purse exceeding £100 million, the prospect of moving the fight away from the UK has already drawn heavy fire from boxing enthusiasts. Many fans argue that a rivalry of this magnitude belongs at Wembley Stadium rather than in New York. Mannix himself did not hold back on the rumored move, calling the potential relocation a massive disappointment and a direct insult to the loyal British fan base, noting that the decision ultimately boils down to maximizing revenue.
The contractual logistics also present a hurdle. Promoter Eddie Hearn has publicly insisted that Anthony Joshua’s existing contract explicitly dictates the bout must be held in the United Kingdom. However, Saudi boxing influential Turki Alalshikh, who has been instrumental in keeping the talks alive, is reportedly leaning toward an American venue to capture the widest possible global television audience.
Both fighters breathed new life into the matchup this past July by securing crucial victories to get back on track. The 37-year-old Fury secured a stoppage win over Mariusz Wach in Thailand, while the 36-year-old Joshua showed immense resilience by overcoming two opening-round knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga in Jeddah.
The rivalry has been simmering behind the scenes for years. Joshua’s former sparring partner, Richard Riakporhe, recently shared that the former unified champion has spent the last five years mentally and physically preparing for Fury, keeping the blueprint ready despite two previous high-profile negotiation collapses.
Official confirmations for the date and venue are still pending as active negotiations between the camps continue.
