Frank Smith rejects claim Fury-Joshua fight is set for New York

Frank Smith has denied that Tyson Fury’s fight with Anthony Joshua has been finalized for New York, saying the signed agreement still places the event in the United Kingdom. Matchroom remains willing to discuss a different location, but no amended deal has been completed.

Smith, Matchroom Boxing’s chief executive, said the claim that both camps had approved a new venue was incorrect. He maintained that Joshua had met all of his obligations under the existing agreement and that the contract for the bout this year specifies a UK venue.

The dispute is therefore about location rather than whether the fight was agreed. Fury and Joshua’s meeting had already been settled months earlier, while the venue remains unresolved. Smith said Matchroom sought Britain during the original negotiations and that the arrangement initially raised no objections.

Speculation increased after Netflix released a promotional trailer for the fight. Smith played down the trailer as evidence of a venue decision, arguing that the bout itself was already agreed and that discussions over changing the location had not altered the contract.

He also rejected Dana White’s claim that he had helped secure Madison Square Garden in New York. Matchroom is Joshua’s exclusive promoter for the remainder of his career, and Smith said White could not commit the former world heavyweight champion to a venue.

New York could still become the host city if Matchroom receives enough compensation for a contractual amendment. Until that paperwork is completed, Madison Square Garden cannot be treated as confirmed. Holding to the UK agreement carries the risk of the event collapsing, while Joshua’s alternatives would include a rematch with Daniel Dubois or a fight against Moses Itauma. Both would bring younger and dangerous opposition without the same financial appeal, while another stoppage defeat could further weaken Joshua’s drawing power and the remaining interest in a Fury meeting.