“If Turki calls me and says, ‘Listen, we got a possibility to do it here. What do you’re thinking that?’ I’d say, ‘Look, moderately do it within the UK, but let me confer with Anthony. We’ll take a 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 going down, but I feel it’s greater than likely you’ll see it within the UK.”
Those remarks could prove significant given the dimensions of the event.
Unlike recent blockbuster bouts which have largely revolved around a single marquee attraction, Joshua vs. Fury features two globally recognized heavyweight stars. Each fighters have headlined stadium events, attracted substantial pay-per-view audiences, and built fan bases extending well beyond the UK.
That reality may ultimately influence the venue discussion.
From a British perspective, Wembley Stadium would look like the natural home for the fight. The atmosphere generated by two homegrown heavyweight rivals could make it one in all the largest sporting events in recent UK history.
Yet Saudi Arabia’s investment in boxing has rarely been driven by gate receipts alone. The dominion has increasingly used major sporting events to advertise tourism and showcase itself to international audiences as a part of its broader Vision 2030 strategy.
If Turki Alalshikh is financing what could turn into the largest fight in British boxing history, there may be a business argument for staging it in Riyadh moderately than allowing one other country to learn from the influx of holiday makers and global attention.
Hearn maintains that Britain stays the popular destination. But his acknowledgment that discussions could reopen if Turki proposes another suggests the venue might not be as settled as many fans had assumed.
