Fury-Joshua Fight Timing Must Suit US Audience, Says Alalshikh

Turki Alalshikh says the Fury-Joshua fight at Wembley depends on a late start time to suit US viewers. Both fighters return to the ring later this month ahead of their potential bout.

Fury and Joshua to Return to Ring This Month

The proposed heavyweight bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is contingent on local authorities approving a later start time at Wembley Stadium, according to Turki Alalshikh.

Alalshikh, a Saudi powerbroker coordinating the all-British fight, indicated that discussions with the Mayor of London and other stakeholders are planned to facilitate the event in England while accommodating a global television audience.

"I tell you from the beginning, it depends if England give us all that we need," said Alalshikh on Monday.
"We want the fight here in England, but we want the time zone of all the world, especially in America.
"If they allowed us to have Wembley late in the night, we want to do it in England. It is about the time and viewership.
"We will talk with the mayors and Prince Abdullah (bin Khaled bin Sultan)."

If the fight is scheduled to suit prime time audiences in the United States, the main event could start as late as 04:00 GMT.

This would not be unprecedented for combat sports events in Britain. For example, UFC 304, held in Manchester in July 2024, had its main card begin at 01:00 BST to accommodate the American television market.

Last month, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, who represents Joshua, dismissed speculation that the fight could be held in the United States, emphasizing that the current agreement requires the bout to take place in the United Kingdom.

"We've got a great relationship with Turki Alalshikh," Hearn told .
"If he comes to me and says 'I want to do the fight in America for this reason', we'll all be very disappointed because I don't think there's a person on the planet that doesn't think this fight should take place in the UK.
"But he's paying the bill and the bill is extortionate, so you've got to find a way to make it work. If they want to change anything in the contract, we have to renegotiate the contract and start again."

Upcoming Fights for Fury and Joshua

Both fighters, Fury, 37, and Joshua, 36, are scheduled to return to the ring later this month ahead of their potential bout later in the year.

Former WBC heavyweight champion Fury will face Poland's Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on 24 July, while two-time heavyweight champion Joshua is set to fight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 25 July.