The long-awaited heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is looking increasingly likely to take place in America rather than the UK.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Turki Alalshikh, who is organizing the all-British fight, now prefers the clash to take place in the USA.
Alalshikh previously said he wanted the fight to take place at a time suitable for a global audience and would hold talks with the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, about a later start date than usual.
However, Sky Sports News revealed earlier this week that Brent City Council had not yet been contacted about extending the curfew at Wembley Stadium to allow a 2am walkthrough.
Speaking to DAZN ahead of Joshua's warm-up fight with Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Hearn said: “That's what we've been told in the last 24 hours [a fight in America] is what they want.
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Dev Sahni reveals how Tyson Fury beat Mariusz Wach in a non-televised fight in Thailand and answers two key questions after the heavyweight bout
“This is not consistent with the contract we signed. Until we are satisfied, we expect every point of that contract to be honored. I think this fight should take place in the UK.”
“Anthony Joshua insisted that the contract said the fight had to take place in the UK.
“If they want to change the contract, we have to renegotiate the contract. Which, by the way, is not a problem. But it is a conversation we have to have.”
Fury: I passed my test, what about AJ?
Fury remains unconvinced Joshua will agree to the fight and questions whether his rival has the “courage” to face him.
The 37-year-old was speaking after his seventh-round exit against Mariusz Wach in an untelevised fight in Thailand on Friday, pointing out that Joshua decided not to get in the ring with him after his victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.
Fury stopped Wach in the seventh round
Fury said, “I passed my test. Let's see if.” [Joshua] passes his test. The biggest test of all is how big his balls are. I think he's a big asshole.
“In Tottenham in front of 70,000 spectators he never had the courage to get in the ring and compete against me. Let's see if he ever makes it. I'm not convinced.”
“I'm going to regroup. Hopefully the next big fight will be signed next week and we'll be on our way wherever we go.”
“Will it be in Vegas? Will it be in New York? Will it be in Ireland? Will it be in London? Who knows, Belfast maybe? It could even be here in Pattaya, Thailand!”
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