Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have reportedly signed contracts to face each other on November 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York, according to the Daily Mail.
The long-awaited heavyweight clash has been discussed for much of the past decade. After years of negotiations, delays and unsuccessful attempts to finalize the matchup, the two former world champions now appear to have reached an agreement.
Fury fueled anticipation on Tuesday, August 18, when he hinted on social media that a major announcement was imminent.
“I've got some big news that's going to be dropped very, very soon. All is good in the hood, big fight on the horizon. It's the one you've all been waiting for. About to be announced imminently. Stay tuned.”
Location Was a Major Sticking Point
The latest breakthrough reportedly came after negotiations stalled over the location of the fight.
Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, had pushed for the contest to take place in the United Kingdom. The location was reportedly included as a condition in Joshua's contract.
However, the financial advantages of staging the highly anticipated British heavyweight rivalry in the United States appear to have ultimately influenced the decision.
According to the Daily Mail, Saudi boxing financier Turki Alalshikh was open to holding the event in the UK if the financial case supported the move. Ultimately, the numbers reportedly favored taking the fight across the Atlantic.
Madison Square Garden Set for Heavyweight Showdown
If the reported agreement proceeds as planned, Joshua and Fury will meet at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden on November 20.
Both fighters have established themselves as two of the defining heavyweights of their generation. Joshua is a former unified heavyweight champion, while Fury has held multiple major world titles and remains one of the division's most accomplished fighters.
A meeting between the two has been one of boxing's biggest unresolved matchups for years. The November 20 date would finally bring Joshua and Fury together in a professional bout and potentially close one of the sport's longest-running heavyweight storylines.
