By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-09-03 22:09:46 | Updated at 2026-09-03 22:46:13
56 minutes ago
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to host their blockbuster fight in the capital, urging the pair's promoters to get in touch.
Khan said he is "really keen" for the bout to be hosted at Wembley Stadium, amid heavy rumours the fight will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Organisers and broadcasters are understood to be backing the fight to be in the US, but Khan insists the fight should be at Wembley.
"A message to the promoters – we want to host it in London. Talk to us; we're really keen to have it," he told BBC Sport.
He continued: "Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are two great British boxers. Both have been world champions.
"They both recognise and love the fans in this country who have supported them throughout their careers, amateur and professional.
"Wembley has hosted many fantastic events, including bouts involving Tyson and Anthony. We, the fans, want to see them box live in London."
The fight received a major boost to potentially take place in New York earlier this week after a demand by Joshua's camp, led by promoter Eddie Hearn, was fulfilled.
Sadiq Khan has called on Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to host their blockbuster fight in London
PA/GETTY
One of the stipulations was full payment of Joshua's purse from his most recent victory over Kristian Prenga – a demand that has now been fulfilled.
Hearn is pressing for the remaining terms to be finalised before the week is out. Should all parties reach agreement, the fight could be formally announced for November 20 at Madison Square Garden.
The venue dispute has been the principal obstacle in negotiations for weeks.
Joshua and Hearn had reached an understanding that the contest would be staged on home soil, with the iconic Wembley Stadium as their preferred venue.
Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn had reached an understanding that the contest would be staged on home soil
However, streaming giant Netflix and the fight's Saudi Arabian financiers, led by Turki Alalshikh, have been resolute in their aim to host the event across the Atlantic.
Netflix had already stoked anticipation by airing a promotional clip during WWE Monday Night Raw, despite no formal agreement on location being in place.
Joshua's camp has also sought an uplift in his purse to offset the considerably steeper tax burden he would face competing in the United States, a point that remains under active discussion between the parties.
Hearn told BoxingScene: "We're all good from the last fight, and we're all moving forward amicably.
Eddie Hearn said: 'We don't want to do the fight in the US, but we also understand it has to work for everybody'
"We don't want to do the fight in the US, but we also understand it has to work for everybody.
"We've been banging our head against the wall on that for the last two months."
He outlined the core sticking point as the tax implications of fighting in the US, which would significantly reduce Joshua's net earnings.
"We've set out our position, mainly in concern to the tax situation that will deplete his net purse by going to America, which can be rectified. There's nothing unreasonable in there," he added.
