Overview
- Both fighters signed a contract earlier this year and completed July tune‑up bouts that cleared the way for a November meeting.
- Multiple reports identify New York’s Madison Square Garden as the frontrunner and name Friday, November 20, as a targeted date to avoid a clash with US college football.
- Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn say the signed deal requires the fight to take place in the UK and they are resisting any move that would require renegotiating those terms.
- Organisers’ push for a US slot is driven by Netflix and Saudi funding and collides with Wembley’s curfew and British fans’ anger over a very late UK start time.
- Promoters expect the situation to be resolved this month with a press conference or announcement by the end of August and any change of venue would need fresh commercial deals and payment terms.