London Mayor Sadiq Khan has expressed his strong desire to host the highly anticipated boxing match between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium. In a recent statement to BBC Sport, Khan emphasized his eagerness for the event, urging promoters to engage with his office regarding the potential for bringing this significant bout to the iconic venue.
Recent communications indicate that Saudi Arabian organizers Sela have reached out to the mayor's office in the past few weeks, signaling an interest in staging the fight at Wembley. However, discussions have yet to gain momentum, as sources suggest that both Sela and the broadcasting giant Netflix are leaning towards New York's Madison Square Garden for a proposed November showdown. As it stands, there have been no substantive talks regarding dates or logistics for a London venue.
Khan made it clear that he is keen to see the fight take place in London, stating, "A message to the promoters - we want to host it in London. Talk to us, we’re really keen to have it." This sentiment underscores the city's desire to host one of the biggest events in boxing, especially considering the historical significance of Wembley Stadium, which has been the site of numerous monumental sporting events.
Wembley Stadium typically has a curfew of 11:00 PM, but Khan has previously indicated that he would support efforts to extend this limit for the fight. A later start time could potentially attract a larger audience in the United States, which is crucial for maximizing viewership and revenue. The Brent Council, responsible for local approvals, has stated that any extension of the curfew would be subject to evaluation by Wembley’s safety advisory group, leaving the specifics of how late the event could run still uncertain.
Both Fury and Joshua, who are former two-time world heavyweight champions, have a strong connection to their British fanbase, which Khan highlighted. He remarked, "Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are two great British boxers. Both have been world champions. They both recognize and love the fans in this country who have supported them throughout their careers, amateur and professional." This connection to the fans adds another layer of importance to the fight being held in London.
As anticipation builds, Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has indicated that he is hopeful for an announcement regarding the venue in the coming days, with a press conference planned for next week. Hearn has confirmed that a contract for the fight to occur in the UK has already been signed, although the preference of the organizers for a U.S. venue complicates matters. Hearn has outlined terms under which Matchroom Boxing would agree to a venue change, but negotiations are ongoing.
The recent outreach from Sela marks a notable shift from late July, when reports suggested that there had been no contact with the mayor's office regarding the fight. Despite this progress, the lack of substantial movement in discussions still casts doubt on the likelihood of Wembley hosting the event.
Khan concluded with a hopeful note, stating, "I’m hoping the promoters understand that not only will you get 100,000 people watching this bout live, you’ll get millions watching it across the globe, where both boxers are cheered on by their loyal fans." As the boxing world watches closely, the fate of this monumental fight remains to be seen.
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