Wembley Stadium’s 11pm curfew has emerged as the central obstacle to staging Tyson Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs) vs. Anthony Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) in London, with the Saudis seeking a 1am local ring walk time for the main event — and being told that is currently “not possible.”
The two British heavyweights are set to finally face-off later this year, with both expected to come through their July tune-up fights with no issues. Wembley remains the logical and preferred venue, but organizers need the curfew lifted to make the broadcast economics work as they need the 1:00am start time in order for the fight to air in prime time in the United States (8ETn/5pm PT) — a commercially attractive slot to boost the finances of the event.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly backed the fight coming to the capital, but the Saudis say further talks are needed. Should London fall through, the United States has been floated as an alternative with ScoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California emerging as a possible option.