The blockbuster boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is slated to occur before the end of the year, but a final venue has yet to be determined, according to Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA).
Speaking in London, Alalshikh expressed a preference for staging the all-British heavyweight contest in England, with Wembley Stadium as a potential location. However, the decision hinges on securing approval for a late-night start time that would optimize viewership in the United States. "We want to stage the fight in England but we want to make sure the time zone suits the whole world - especially in America," Alalshikh stated.
Alalshikh indicated that if Wembley is to host the fight, it must be permissible to hold the event late enough to maximize global audience reach, particularly for subscribers on streaming platforms like Netflix. "If they allow us to have Wembley, late in the night, we want to do it there. So, right now, it's about the time, viewership and subscribers. We will talk with the majors," he added.
This condition presents a potential challenge, as major events at Wembley are typically required to conclude around 11 p.m. due to licensing regulations set by Brent Council. Extended hours would likely necessitate special permission from local authorities and could incur significant additional costs related to staffing, security, and transportation.
Alalshikh made these remarks during the official inauguration of SELA International's headquarters in London. He attended the event alongside Prince Abdullah bin Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Both Joshua and Fury are expected to participate in warm-up fights this summer, with the highly anticipated clash to follow later in the year, contingent on their successful progression through those preliminary bouts. Boxing enthusiasts are now awaiting confirmation of the venue for this significant matchup.
