Anthony Joshua is expected to return to the city where his heavyweight reign began to unravel after reports named New York as the leading choice to stage Britain’s biggest heavyweight fight.
Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua is expected to take place more than 3,000 miles from Britain despite both fighters being British, with Wembley Stadium wanted by fans as the destination for the fight itself.
According to former WBN Lead Writer Dan Rafael, New York is the favored location to host the long-awaited heavyweight showdown, a decision that would leave British fans watching the biggest fight in British boxing from overseas.
If confirmed, the move would also mean UK fans staying up into the early hours to watch an all-British heavyweight blockbuster that many believe should never have left home in the first place.
Anthony Joshua
For Joshua, the choice of New York carries far greater significance than the location of the fight itself.
Madison Square Garden was supposed to announce him as boxing’s next global superstar when he made his long-awaited American debut against Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019.
Instead, Joshua looked uneasy from the opening bell, suffered four knockdowns and lost his world heavyweight titles in one of the biggest upsets in modern boxing history.
The defeat triggered years of questions over his mentality under pressure and marked the moment the aura of invincibility he had built in Britain disappeared.
Joshua has spent the years since rebuilding his career through victories, defeats and setbacks. He has only recently regained momentum after recovering from a devastating loss to Daniel Dubois and a terrifying car crash that could have ended far more than his boxing career.
Sending him back there is a gamble few expected.
Tyson Fury
The contrast with Fury could hardly be greater.
Fury has always looked at home on American soil. He fought Deontay Wilder to a draw before stopping the former WBC champion twice in Las Vegas, cementing his status as one of boxing’s biggest international stars.
Joshua’s memories of New York are very different.
Whether the decision is driven by global exposure or commercial priorities, Britain’s biggest heavyweight fight is expected to take place in America instead of Britain.
Anthony Joshua may now have to relive the night that changed his career before the biggest fight of his life has even officially begun.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
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