Fury vs Joshua: Heavyweight Clash Stalls Over Madison Square Garden Venue Dispute

Tyson Fury has threatened to find a new opponent for November after contract disputes regarding a New York venue and tax ramifications halted the Anthony Joshua fight.

Tyson Fury has cast significant doubt on the heavyweight showdown against Anthony Joshua scheduled for November 2026. The bout, a decade in the making, gained momentum last month after Fury defeated Mariusz Wach and Joshua recovered from two knockdowns to secure a knockout victory over Kristian Prenga. Despite an agreed November window, negotiations have stalled because both fighters hold individual contracts with Saudi Arabian-owned organizers Sela, who now prefer New York’s Madison Square Garden as the host venue.

Fury expressed his frustration via Instagram on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 09:33 AM ET, claiming the fight is unlikely to happen due to financial demands from Joshua’s camp. The WBC champion alleged that promoter Eddie Hearn is using the preference for a UK-based fight as leverage to secure a larger purse for a move to the United States. Fury stated he has already agreed to multiple locations, including England, Ireland, and America, to ensure the contest proceeds.

Venue Disagreements and Tax Ramifications

Eddie Hearn confirmed on Thursday that while a contract exists for the fight to take place in the United Kingdom, Sela is pushing for a shift to the United States. Hearn told iFL that Joshua is open to a Stateside bout to attract a larger audience via Netflix, but only if specific financial addenda are met. These conditions include an increased payment to offset the tax ramifications of competing in America, alongside unresolved details regarding travel arrangements, media schedules, and event accreditation.

Hearn maintains that his team has done nothing wrong by expecting the original UK contract to be honored. He noted that they are currently being asked to alter a signed legal document. Fury, however, dismissed these concerns, stating he is match-fit and ready to compete anywhere, threatening to fight a different opponent in November if Joshua does not sign the current terms immediately.

Dana White and Zuffa Boxing Involvement

The negotiation is further complicated by the potential involvement of UFC President Dana White. White fronts Zuffa Boxing, an entity jointly owned by Sela and TKO Group Holdings. Hearn and White are reportedly at loggerheads regarding the management of the event. Fury addressed this tension by inviting White to join his side of the table as an advisor or team member, insisting that the specific personnel involved should not prevent the fight from occurring.

Financial Stumbling Blocks

Fury characterized the current delay as a result of Hearn and Joshua wanting more money. The champion claimed he has "bent over backwards" to facilitate the deal, whereas the opposing camp is focused on the logistics of the American market. According to Hearn, the list of addenda sent to Sela is necessary to protect Joshua's interests given the change in location from the originally contracted British venue. As of Friday morning, no resolution has been reached regarding the venue or the revised financial terms required by Matchroom Boxing.