Mayor Sadiq Khan Joins Eddie Hearn in Push for Fury-Joshua UK Fight

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has officially appealed to promoters to host the Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua bout in the United Kingdom as a November deadline looms.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a formal plea to promoters to secure the United Kingdom as the host location for the heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Both fighters successfully completed tune-up bouts in July and previously signed an agreement with Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh to face one another. However, negotiations have reached a standstill due to conflicting contractual obligations regarding the venue. Joshua’s current contract explicitly mandates that the event take place in the UK, while Fury has publicly stated he is willing to compete in any location.

Broadcaster Netflix and Saudi promotion company Sela currently prefer to stage the event in the United States. To address this, promoter Eddie Hearn submitted an addendum to Sela last month containing specific requests that would allow the fight to move to America. Despite these discussions, Hearn maintains that his team is actively battling to keep the contest on British soil. Mayor Khan confirmed that Hearn has approached his office, and the city is prepared to provide assistance to ensure the fight occurs in London.

Venue Conflict and Madison Square Garden Temptation

Mayor Khan acknowledged the financial allure of hosting the event at Madison Square Garden but emphasized the loyalty of the British fan base. Speaking to Sky Sports, Khan noted that London has hosted some of the largest boxing events in history during his mayoralty. He stated that both Fury and Joshua recognize the significance of their domestic supporters. The Mayor’s office has reached out to key stakeholders to signal their readiness to facilitate the bout in the capital, citing the deep connection Londoners have with both heavyweight athletes.

Time is a critical factor in these discussions, as Eddie Hearn indicated this week that the window for a November fight date is rapidly closing. The stalemate persists as Sela and Netflix weigh the benefits of a U.S. location against the contractual requirements held by the Joshua camp. Khan remains adamant that the fans in Britain deserve to see the two champions compete at home rather than abroad.

Tyson Fury Threatens to Move On

Tyson Fury expressed significant frustration on social media this Thursday, labeling Joshua a "coward" and demanding he sign the paperwork immediately. The undefeated heavyweight claimed he has been waiting a decade for this specific matchup and is unwilling to waste his remaining active years waiting for an opponent who he believes does not want to fight. Fury warned that if a deal is not finalized shortly, he will pursue other world champions for a November date instead.

Specific names mentioned by Fury as potential alternative opponents include Agit Kabayel, Filip Hrgovic, and Daniel Dubois. Fury stated that these fighters would be willing to accept a knock for a November bout because they are eager to earn money and compete for titles. He characterized the current situation with Joshua as "going nowhere" and insisted he would not let his career stall due to the ongoing location dispute.

Heavyweight Division Schedule and Rematches

While the Fury-Joshua negotiations continue, other major heavyweight fixtures are already confirmed for the autumn schedule. A title rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley is officially set to take place in October. This adds pressure to the Fury-Joshua timeline, as the sport's calendar fills up with competing high-profile events.

Promoters now face a choice between the massive financial incentives offered by American venues and the contractual demands of the Joshua camp supported by Mayor Khan. The intervention by the London Mayor highlights the political and cultural weight behind keeping the fight in Britain. As of September 4, 2026, no final decision has been reached, leaving the status of the November heavyweight showdown uncertain.