Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh is seeking permission to host the long-awaited heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua at London’s Wembley Stadium with an overnight start time. The proposed bout, targeted for October or November this year, would require local authorities to grant a special curfew dispensation to accommodate prime-time television audiences in the United States.
Negotiating an Overnight Start at Wembley
The logistics for the all-British mega-fight remain in flux as organizers weigh the demands of global viewership against local regulatory constraints. Turki Alalshikh, who is coordinating the bout, has stated that while his preference is to stage the contest in England, the start time must align with international markets, particularly the United States.
Wembley Stadium typically enforces an 11 p.m. curfew for major events. To bypass this, the event would require formal approval from the Mayor of London and Brent Council, the local authority responsible for the stadium’s safety advisory group. While sources close to London Mayor Sadiq Khan have described the proposal as “doable,” no formal request has yet been submitted to the council.
“I tell you from the beginning, it depends if England give us all that we need, we want the fight here in England. It is about the time and viewership. If they allow us to have Wembley late in the night, we want to do it in England.”
Turki Alalshikh, via BBC Sport
Contractual Obligations and Venue Selection
Despite persistent rumors suggesting the fight could move to Las Vegas or Saudi Arabia, the current contract specifically mandates that the bout must take place in the United Kingdom. Promoter Eddie Hearn, who represents Joshua, has been vocal about the importance of keeping the event on home soil.
According to Sky Sports, Hearn maintains that Wembley remains a favorite to host the fight. The selection of Wembley is strategic; it has hosted heavyweight contests including Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte with crowds of over 90,000.
Pre-Fight Hurdles: The July Tune-ups
Before the Fury-Joshua showdown can be finalized, both heavyweights must navigate respective warm-up bouts later this month. These interim fights serve as critical checkpoints; any injury or unexpected loss could jeopardize the timeline for the main event.
- Anthony Joshua: Scheduled to face Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25.
- Tyson Fury: Scheduled to face Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Thailand on July 24.
Given the history of delays surrounding the Fury-Joshua rivalry—which has been mooted for nearly a decade—there is significant pressure on both camps to ensure these warm-up bouts proceed without incident.
The Search for an Iconic Spectacle
Historical Context of the Rivalry
The saga between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has persisted for the best part of a decade. Both fighters have held belts, and at various points, negotiations have stalled.
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