Tyson Fury has fueled speculation that his all-British heavyweight fight with Anthony Joshua is on the verge of collapse by suggesting he needs a new opponent for November. The uncertainty surrounding the bout comes as Saudi Arabian promoter Sela is fronting the bill, with both Fury and Joshua having signed separate contracts with the company.
Joshua's contract includes a stipulation that the fight must take place in the UK, prompting his promoter Eddie Hearn to renegotiate details. Talks about staging the fight in the UK have reportedly re-opened following a public plea from London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan for the event to be held at Wembley Stadium. Sela and broadcaster Netflix are understood to favor Madison Square Garden in New York.
BBC Sport understands that Sela has approached the London mayor's office regarding the possibility of hosting the contest at the national stadium, though discussions have not progressed significantly since last week. While Hearn had expressed hope for an announcement in the coming week, current developments suggest this is unlikely.
If a bout at Wembley were to proceed, it might need to occur in the early hours of the morning to maximize viewership in the United States. Mayor Khan has stated that his team would support such a proposal, urging promoters to engage with the city, highlighting the potential for 100,000 live spectators and millions more global viewers. Moses Itauma faces off with Filip Hrgovic