Anthony Joshua Fight with Tyson Fury in Doubt over Venue

Anthony Joshua's fight with Tyson Fury is in doubt due to disagreements over the venue, with Fury casting doubt on the bout's chances of happening.

Is the fight still on?

Tyson Fury has cast doubt on his long-awaited heavyweight showdown against Anthony Joshua going ahead. A bout at least a decade in the making finally looked set to take place later this year after Fury beat Mariusz Wach and Joshua rose from the canvas twice to knock out Kristian Prenga last month. While a date in November seems to have been agreed, where the fight takes place is a sticking point as Fury and Joshua have signed separate contracts with Saudi-owned organizers Sela. Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has repeatedly insisted their deal includes a clause for the fight to be staged in the UK but Sela's preference is for New York's famed Madison Square Garden to play host.

Has Anthony Joshua's punch resistance gone?

Anthony Joshua is set to take on Tyson Fury later this year but, following his performance against Kristian Prenga last month, one British boxing legend has declared that his 'punch resistance has clearly gone'. Joshua was brutally stopped by Daniel Dubois in a savage five-round beatdown in September 2024 when challenging for the IBF heavyweight world title. Upon his return, 'AJ' stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who landed just 16 punches in their December bout. Last month, against Kristian Prenga, it seemed as though Joshua's ability to hold a shot had noticeably declined, as he was dropped twice by the lesser-known Albanian in the opening round, before rallying to a second-round knockout win. Speaking to talkSPORT, three-division world champion Duke McKenzie shared his belief that 'Joshua's punch resistance has clearly gone', whilst recalling how it feels when a fighter becomes more susceptible to being knocked out during the latter stages of their career.

Is the fight still on track for November?

A frustrated Fury took to Instagram on Friday and said: "It doesn't look like they're going to sign the fight. It doesn't look like it's going to happen. All because Eddie Hearn and that want more money. "All this talk of wanting the fight in England, we want this we want that, it's only to get more money to go to America. "I've bent over backwards to make this fight happen. First of all it was in England, then it was in Ireland, then it was in America, I said I'll go anywhere. "I'm not interested where the fight is, I just want the fight, I'm match fit, I'm ready to rock and roll, baby. If you [Joshua] don't want to get it on I'll fight somebody else in November." Hearn told iFL on Thursday that he and Joshua are amenable to fighting Stateside in order to attempt to attract a bigger audience with broadcasters Netflix, but only if their conditions are met. Sela has been sent a list of addenda from Hearn, who revealed an increased payment would need to be made to Joshua in light of the tax ramifications of fighting in America. Other issues centre on travel, accreditation and the media schedule.

What are the key takeaways?

• Anthony Joshua's fight with Tyson Fury is in doubt due to disagreements over the venue.
• Fury has cast doubt on the bout's chances of happening.
• Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has repeatedly insisted their deal includes a clause for the fight to be staged in the UK.
• Sela's preference is for New York's famed Madison Square Garden to play host.
• Joshua's punch resistance has been questioned by a British boxing legend.

Key Takeaways

• Anthony Joshua's fight with Tyson Fury is in doubt due to disagreements over the venue.
• Fury has cast doubt on the bout's chances of happening.
• Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has repeatedly insisted their deal includes a clause for the fight to be staged in the UK.
• Sela's preference is for New York's famed Madison Square Garden to play host.

• Anthony Joshua is set to take on Tyson Fury later this year.
• Fury has cast doubt on the bout's chances of happening.
• Eddie Hearn has repeatedly insisted their deal includes a clause for the fight to be staged in the UK.
• Sela's preference is for New York's famed Madison Square Garden to play host.
• Duke McKenzie has questioned Joshua's punch resistance.
• Fury has said he will fight someone else in November if the Joshua fight does not happen.
• Hearn has revealed an increased payment would need to be made to Joshua in light of the tax ramifications of fighting in America.
• Sela has been sent a list of addenda from Hearn.
• Fury has said he is not interested in where the fight is, he just wants the fight.