Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has resumed training in Miami as uncertainty continues to surround his proposed blockbuster fight against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua.
Despite an unresolved disagreement over the location of the bout, Fury’s promoters remain confident that the highly anticipated heavyweight clash will go ahead.
Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, confirmed that the 38-year-old has already returned to training ahead of his planned comeback.
Warren said he expected Saudi Arabian fight financier Turki Alalshikh to announce the final arrangements soon and expressed optimism that the remaining differences between Matchroom Boxing and Joshua’s camp would be resolved.
Venue Remains Major Sticking Point
Wembley Stadium had initially been viewed as the preferred venue for the fight, but negotiations have become complicated by proposals to stage the event in the United States.
The American option is being driven largely by commercial considerations, including the potential to attract a much larger global television audience.
Warren argued that major heavyweight contests do not necessarily have to take place in the fighters’ home countries, pointing to the famous 1974 meeting between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire as an example.
However, the proposed move to the United States has created tension between the two camps.
Joshua Contract Requires UK Venue
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn described the current period as a “crunch week” in the negotiations.
Both Fury and Joshua have reportedly signed agreements to face each other, but Joshua’s contract contains a specific requirement that the fight be staged in the United Kingdom.
That provision has become a major obstacle as Netflix and Alalshikh favour an American venue to maximise the event’s exposure to the US prime-time television audience.
Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as one of the proposed venues.
Hearn has accused the Saudi organisers of attempting to move beyond the terms of Joshua’s existing agreement.
“We’re running out of time. Well, we’re not running out of time because we’re ready,” Hearn said.
He explained that Joshua had already progressed significantly in his recovery from his previous bout and was preparing to return to a full training camp.
However, Hearn said additional media obligations being requested by organisers could interfere with Joshua’s preparation.
“We can’t start disrupting camp too much, and I think this week’s really the crunch week.”
Hearn Demands Revised Financial Terms
Hearn revealed that he had submitted revisions to the agreement, including a larger purse for Joshua to compensate for the tax implications of fighting in the United States.
He said Joshua’s team would be prepared to accept an American venue if their contractual and financial conditions were met.
However, the Matchroom promoter warned that prolonged negotiations could push the fight back to December, something both he and Joshua would prefer to avoid.
Hearn also stressed that Joshua is ready to resume intensive training following a brief break.
Both Fighters Returning to Action
Joshua, 36, last fought in July, stopping previously unbeaten Albanian Kristian Prenga after being knocked down twice during the contest.
Fury, 38, returned to action a day later, recording a routine seven-round victory over 46-year-old Polish veteran Mariusz Wach.
The two former heavyweight champions have therefore remained on relatively similar schedules as negotiations for their long-awaited showdown continue.
For now, Friday, November 20, at Madison Square Garden remains the date and venue reportedly being targeted, although the final location is yet to be confirmed.
With both fighters already preparing, the coming days could prove decisive in determining whether the long-awaited Fury–Joshua showdown finally becomes a reality.
