Hearn open to Fury vs Joshua America venue switch if ‘beneficial’

Promoter Eddie Hearn is open to a renegotiation of the Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury contract if there is a 'beneficial reason' for staging the fight in America.

Hearn has reiterated that Joshua has signed a deal for a heavyweight clash against Fury, which stipulates that the bout must be staged in the UK.

But Turki Al-Sheikh, who is funding the British blockbuster bout, confirmed that a decision is yet to be made on the venue, and the US has emerged as the most likely location.

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"Turki Al-Sheikh is paying the bill, and it's an extortionate one, so it's got to work for him," Hearn said to Sky Sports.

"But we signed up for the fight to take place in the UK, and it's very clear within our contract that that's where the fight has to happen.

"Now, if there's another reason why it might be more beneficial for us to do it in America, we'll have those conversations. At the moment, there's been no request for that.

"AJ was quite insistent that the fight take place in the UK, and that's why we put it into the contract."

No date or location for the bout has officially been confirmed, but Fury's promoter Frank Warren exclusively told Sky Sports earlier this week that he was adamant the bout would go ahead at some point in late 2026.

Fury is set to return to the ring on August 1 in Dublin ahead of his meeting with Joshua, but is yet to reveal his opponent.

Hearn also added that should a renegotiation be required, the terms of the contract would not delay the fight.

"Because of the working relationship with Turki Al-Sheikh, that's something that he wants to do," Hearn said.

"We'd entertain the conversation, but if not, we'd just go ahead with the fight in the UK."

Joshua will fight Albanian Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Jeddah, and declared earlier this month that he is stronger than ever.

Hearn said that any contract talk would not distract Joshua from securing victory against Prenga, explaining: "He keeps himself out of the loop of it all.

"I wouldn't ever draw him into the conversations until it was required for him to make a decision.

"And again, at the moment, there's not even a request for that.

"Joshua is in a great place. I've never seen him so focused. His conditioning is outstanding, and he's ready for a big performance because all of this stuff is actually irrelevant if he doesn't win on July 25th.

"So, that's really the only important thing, getting through that fight. We'll take care of everything else for him."