Nigerian-born former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua has been offered Noermber 20th as a tentative date for his much-expected face-off with fellow-British pugilist, Tyson Fury, though controversy still rages over the venue.
Sports247 gathered that, while promoters and marketers are angling for a venue in the United States, Joshua and his representatives are still trying to hold out for London to host the epic encounter, since both fighters are from Great Britain and could draw larger followership at home.
However, commercial add-ons are diverting the course of things towards God’s Own Country, as fight promoters reckon that earnings for such an encounter should not come from gate takings alone, and a venue in the USA is considered more lucrative from their view point.
A report by UK’s Sun Sports revealed, “Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua remain on course for an imminent face-off – despite the blazing row over the venue for the showdown. The long-overdue Battle of Britain is currently set to land at Madison Square Garden this autumn.
“November 20 is the date broadcasters Netflix and Saudi supremo Turki Alalshikh are eying for the clash of former champions. Joshua, however, is pushing back on MSG being the venue for the fight, having previously signed a contract stating the bout MUST take place in the UK.
“Netflix are seemingly turning the screw on Joshua to accept the current venue for his grudge match with Fury. The streaming powerhouse and Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh want the Battle of Britain to take place at Madison Square Garden this autumn.
“Joshua and his team are pushing back on an MSG melee as their contract states the bout MUST take place in the UK. That, however, hasn’t stopped Netflix from teasing an imminent announcement for the long-overdue domestic dust-up.”
