The Fury-Joshua Fight’s American Obsession

The proposed heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been touted as a battle for British boxing supremacy. However, it seems the real fight is being waged behind the scenes over TV schedules. Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, coordinating the all-British bout, has revealed that Wembley Stadium will only host the main event if local authorities agree to a later-than-usual start time.

The proposal, aimed at accommodating a global television audience – particularly in America – raises questions about the true priorities of those involved. This is not the first time a high-profile sports event in Britain has been timed around the American market. The UFC 304 event held in Manchester last July started as late as 01:00 BST to cater to prime-time viewers in the United States.

The fact that Alalshikh is willing to negotiate with London’s Mayor and Prince Abdullah over start times suggests that the financial stakes are higher than initially thought. The Saudi promoter has made no secret of his desire to stage the fight in England, but only if it can be done on American-friendly terms. This raises eyebrows given Britain’s long history of hosting major sporting events.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has dismissed speculation that the fight could be staged in the United States, insisting that the current agreement stipulates the bout must take place in the UK. However, Alalshikh is willing to bend over backward to secure a TV deal that satisfies American broadcasters. The timing of this bout is curious given both fighters’ upcoming matches later this month.

Fury will face Mariusz Wach in Thailand on July 24th, while Joshua takes on Kristian Prenga the following day in Saudi Arabia. It’s unclear what impact these fights will have on their respective preparations for the potential showdown. As negotiations over start times continue, one thing is certain: the Fury-Joshua fight has become a spectacle about more than just boxing.

It’s a reflection of the sport’s increasingly globalized nature and the complex web of interests involved in major events. The Saudi investment in English sports, particularly through the Premier League and now high-profile boxing matches, has raised questions about the country’s intentions. Is it merely a case of deep-pocketed investors trying to secure lucrative TV deals, or is there something more at play?

The fact that Alalshikh is willing to put significant pressure on local authorities over start times suggests that this fight – and its timing – is only part of a larger story. Britain’s history of hosting world-class events, from the 2012 Olympics to recent football matches, demonstrates its ability to stage major sporting events successfully.

The question now is whether British boxing can reclaim its place on the global stage or if it will continue to be dictated by American TV schedules. The Fury-Joshua fight’s ultimate destination remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the true battleground lies not in the ring, but behind the scenes – where the real fight for supremacy is being waged.