Anthony Joshua's fight against Tyson Fury could be fought in the US, with Eddie Hearn suggesting he is open to revisiting the terms of the agreement.
The promoter confirmed that Joshua's existing contract explicitly requires the fight to be held in the UK.
However, Turki Al-Sheikh, the Saudi official bankrolling what Hearn described as an "extortionate" bill for the British boxing spectacle, has yet to finalise the venue.
The US has now emerged as a frontrunner to host the bout, despite its contractual commitment to stage it on home soil.
Explaining the situation, Hearn told Sky Sports: "Turki Al-Sheikh is paying the bill, and it's an extortionate one, so it's got to work for him
"But we signed up for the fight to take place in the UK, and it's very clear within our contract that that's where the fight has to happen.
"Now, if there's another reason why it might be more beneficial for us to do it in America, we'll have those conversations. At the moment, there's been no request for that.
"AJ was quite insistent that the fight take place in the UK, and that's why we put it into the contract."
Anthony Joshua's fight against Tyson Fury could be fought in the US
| GETTYLATEST SPORTS NEWS
While neither a date nor a location has been officially announced, Fury's promoter Frank Warren said that he remained confident the contest would take place at some point in late 2026.
Fury himself is scheduled to step back into the ring on August 1 in Dublin before facing Joshua, though his opponent for that fight remains undisclosed.
Hearn also sought to reassure fans that any potential contract discussions would not cause delays to the highly anticipated clash.
He said: "Because of the working relationship with Turki Al-Sheikh, that's something that he wants to do.
Joshua is understood to be keen with having the fight in the UK
| REUTERS"We'd entertain the conversation, but if not, we'd just go ahead with the fight in the UK."
Before the Fury showdown, Joshua must first compete in his July 25 contest against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Jeddah.
Hearn insisted that ongoing discussions about venues would not distract his fighter from the task at hand.
Eddie Hearn explained that clauses in contracts would have to be renegotiated for the bout to be hosted in the US
|GETTY
"He keeps himself out of the loop of it all. I wouldn't ever draw him into the conversations until it was required for him to make a decision," the promoter explained.
Hearn described Joshua as being in exceptional shape, stating: "I've never seen him so focused.
"His conditioning is outstanding, and he's ready for a big performance because all of this stuff is actually irrelevant if he doesn't win on July 25."
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