Late-Night Fight Proposal for Joshua vs. Fury at Wembley
Anthony Joshua is open to the possibility of his highly anticipated fight against Tyson Fury starting at 2 AM if held at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium. Organizers of the event suggest that a late-night schedule would allow for maximum viewership, particularly in the United States.
According to Sky Sports News, Joshua’s team is willing to work alongside local authorities to facilitate such an arrangement. While Joshua’s contract specifies that the match should occur in the UK, there are growing indications that it may ultimately be staged in the US.
Turki Alarusik, the match organizer, expressed his intent to schedule the fight at a time conducive for a global audience. He plans to engage with London’s Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, to secure the necessary permissions for a late-night event.
Challenges in Changing the Curfew
Responding to Alarusik’s comments, Mayor Khan indicated his support for bringing the match to London. However, he cautioned that changing the existing curfew—which typically restricts events at Wembley to 11 PM—presents significant hurdles. Khan noted on social media that extending the curfew has previously been labeled as “impossible.”
The Brent Council, the local authority responsible for issuing approvals, stated that any modifications to the current curfew would need thorough evaluation by the Stadium Safety Advisory Group. This group includes representatives from the council itself.
Strategic Timing for Global Viewership
Sky Sports News revealed that, should the fight take place at Wembley, the ring walk would need to commence at 2 AM. This timing would correspond strategically with evening viewing hours in the US—9 PM ET and 6 PM PT—aiming to maximize international audience engagement.
The exact date for the highly anticipated matchup remains undetermined, but projections suggest a likely occurrence in November. Both Joshua and Fury are slated for separate preliminary matches later this month, adding urgency to finalize their showdown.
Continued Attempts for Coordination
In light of these developments, Alarusik underscored the importance of ensuring that the fight is held in the UK while accommodating global broadcasting needs. He indicated that discussions with the mayor and relevant authorities would be crucial in moving forward with a later start time.
Despite the challenges, the Mayor’s office has emphasized London’s status as a premier location for world-class sporting events, historically hosting significant boxing matches with massive audiences. As preparations continue, Alarusik remains hopeful for a definitive statement from the mayor’s office regarding the proposed scheduling adjustments.
