Hearn Mandates UK Venue for Fury-Joshua After Second-Round Prenga KO

Anthony Joshua secured his Tyson Fury showdown with a second-round stoppage of Kristian Prenga, as Eddie Hearn insists the bout must remain in the UK.

Anthony Joshua cleared the final hurdle for an all-British heavyweight clash by securing a second-round stoppage victory over Kristian Prenga. This result followed less than 24 hours after Tyson Fury recorded his own stoppage win against Mariusz Wach in Thailand. Despite interest from Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh to relocate the bout, promoter Eddie Hearn maintains that the fight deal signed three months ago legally mandates the event take place within the United Kingdom.

While Alalshikh has proposed a 2:00 AM UK start time to capture a global audience, such a schedule would require a specific exemption to the current curfews enforced at Wembley Stadium. Consequently, Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as the preferred alternative for the powerbrokers. However, Hearn asserts that the existing contract was negotiated specifically for a British site and any change in location would require a complete renegotiation of the legally binding terms.

Contractual Obligations and Venue Disputes

According to Hearn, the agreement reached 90 days ago was the product of extensive legal consultation to ensure every move was correct. The promoter emphasized that Joshua specifically requested the fight be held on home soil, labeling it a "British fight" for the local public. Although Alalshikh is recognized as a partner and supporter of Joshua, Hearn noted that the only way the contest moves away from England is if both he and his fighter formally agree to deviate from the signed document.

Joshua believes that the legacy of both heavyweights depends on the fight occurring in Britain. He stated that during the initial roadmap discussions, no other locations were mentioned. The two-time former world champion confirmed that Wembley Stadium is the agreed-upon host, dismissing the possibility of using the Principality Stadium in Cardiff or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium due to the specific historical significance associated with Wembley.

Scheduling and Global Audience Demands

The proposed showdown is expected to occur in October or November of 2026. The push for a late-night start time in London is designed to align with international broadcasting windows, yet the logistical hurdles of Wembley’s operating hours remain a primary conflict. Joshua survived two knockdowns in his tune-up path to reach this point, reinforcing his desire to "end" Fury when they finally meet in the ring.

Legacy and Public Interest

Hearn described the matchup as an event that will be remembered across generations, arguing that moving it to Madison Square Garden would detract from its cultural impact in the UK. Joshua reiterated that the original plan was simple: fight, win, and then face Fury at Wembley. The promoter concluded by stating that the fight is already made and signed, with the next two weeks expected to provide clarity on whether the contractual UK requirement will be upheld or altered through mutual consent.