Boxing
The highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua mega fight can only be held here
Zayas vs. Ennis: Watch only on DAZN PPV - June 27
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez's pulverizing of Antonio Vargas this past weekend, live on DAZN, included Eddie Hearn insisting that it’s contractually mandated for the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua mega fight to be held in the United Kingdom.
The Matchroom Boxing boss doubled down on that thought, while speaking with Sky Sports News, saying: “The contract is very clear. It specifically states the fight must take place in the UK. We also understand that Turki Alalshikh is paying for the fight, so if he comes up with a plan to stage the fight somewhere else, there will be a sensible conversation and a renegotiation of that contract if we want to move forward with that.”
Sparks fly as Zayas and Ennis meet
Relive DAZN FACE OFF here
As Hearn stated, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is footing the bill for this impending super fight card, so it’s his prerogative to hone in on the host city of his choosing. That said, the highly anticipated fight between the British stars would not be the same without London as its backdrop. Sure, fight fans would tune in to see Fury vs. Joshua anywhere it’s held because it’s a mega bout between two of the best heavyweights of this generation.
The fight would thrive in Las Vegas just like it would bubble in New York City, Los Angeles, Riyadh, or any hotbed for boxing.
However, the difference is that London deserves this bout.
The English have charted the growth of both fighters from humble beginnings to the top of the sport. They watched Fury upset Wladimir Klitschko to become the unified heavyweight world champion, his near three-year absence from the ring and fabled return to championship status after battling a plethora of personal demons.
They followed AJ’s ascension from 2012 Olympic gold medalist to unified heavyweight world champion and his unforeseen loss of the crown in a massive upset to Andy Ruiz Jr., only to snatch his titles back six months later.
More recent years have had Joshua and Fury unable to devise a solution for the complex style of Oleksandr Usyk as each man suffered two losses against the Ukrainian’s sweet science brilliance.
Through it all, English boxing fans have been there lockstep, supporting each man via his respective journey.
Joshua hasn’t fought in London since being shocked via a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September 2024. Fury just had his last bout, a unanimous decision over Arslanbek Makhmudov, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London this past April.
Now, as the paths of Fury and Joshua are finally expected to intertwine, it’s only right that London plays host. Upwards of 90,000 packing Wembley sounds like a can’t-miss plan for ‘The Gypsy King’ and ‘Joshua.’
There’s no title on the line between them, and there doesn’t need to be. Each man has been a face of the sport.
Now, Fury and Joshua coming face-to-face in London would give English boxing fans one more indelible memory of each to relish in.
London must play host. It’s only right.
Zayas vs. Ennis - watch only on DAZN
Xander Zayas defends his WBO and WBA super welterweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis on Saturday, June 27, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
