“If Turki calls me and says, ‘Listen, we got an opportunity to do it here. What do you think?’ I’d say, ‘Look, rather do it in the UK, but let me talk to Anthony. We’ll look at the numbers and we’ll go from there,’” Hearn said to Fight Hub TV. “I wouldn’t rule out anywhere for this fight taking place, but I think it’s more than likely you’ll see it in the UK.”
Those remarks could prove significant given the scale of the event.
Unlike recent blockbuster bouts that have largely revolved around a single marquee attraction, Joshua vs. Fury features two globally recognized heavyweight stars. Both fighters have headlined stadium events, attracted substantial pay-per-view audiences, and built fan bases extending well beyond the United Kingdom.
That reality may ultimately influence the venue discussion.
From a British perspective, Wembley Stadium would appear to be the natural home for the fight. The atmosphere generated by two homegrown heavyweight rivals could make it one of the biggest sporting events in recent UK history.
Yet Saudi Arabia’s investment in boxing has rarely been driven by gate receipts alone. The kingdom has increasingly used major sporting events to promote tourism and showcase itself to international audiences as part of its broader Vision 2030 strategy.
If Turki Alalshikh is financing what could become the biggest fight in British boxing history, there is a business argument for staging it in Riyadh rather than allowing another country to benefit from the influx of visitors and global attention.
Hearn maintains that Britain remains the preferred destination. But his acknowledgment that discussions could reopen if Turki proposes an alternative suggests the venue may not be as settled as many fans had assumed.
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