Is Anthony Joshua really backing out of the Tyson Fury fight?
For the first time in years, Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua looked closer than ever. Contracts have reportedly been agreed in principle, Netflix has already teased the blockbuster, and November has emerged as the target window for the long-awaited Battle of Britain. But fresh reports suggest the fight has hit another major obstacle, with Anthony Joshua’s camp considering walking away if the venue is switched to the United States.
The latest twist has fueled speculation that Joshua is backing out of the fight altogether. The reality, however, is more complicated.
Why the venue has become the biggest problem
The biggest sticking point is no longer whether Fury and Joshua want to fight—it’s where they’ll fight.
According to multiple reports, Netflix and Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh are pushing to stage the event at Madison Square Garden in New York to maximize American prime-time viewership. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn insists that Joshua’s current agreement requires the fight to take place in the UK, with Wembley Stadium remaining their preferred venue.
Hearn has even warned that if a New York announcement is made without Joshua’s approval, the fight could collapse entirely. He has accused Dana White and TKO of attempting to negotiate a U.S. venue without the proper authority, escalating tensions behind the scenes.
That has led to reports that Joshua is considering backing out—not because he doesn’t want to face Fury, but because he doesn’t want to abandon the UK terms his camp believes were already agreed upon.
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The fight isn’t off—yet
Despite the growing uncertainty, there is no official confirmation that Joshua has withdrawn from the bout.
Fury’s manager Spencer Brown recently admitted negotiations have stalled and warned that continued delays risk cooling fan interest. Dana White has also expressed frustration with the ongoing saga, questioning whether both sides will finally get the deal over the line.
For now, Fury vs. Joshua remains alive, with November still viewed as the target timeframe. But until the venue dispute is resolved, boxing’s biggest heavyweight showdown remains stuck in limbo, leaving fans waiting once again for the fight they’ve wanted for more than a decade.
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