Tony Bellew praised for response to Eddie Hearn claiming people want Fury vs Joshua in the US

Tony Bellew has been praised for his response to Eddie Hearn over whether the blockbuster fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua should take place in the United States.

Fury versus Joshua is one of the most highly-anticipated British heavyweight boxing fights in decades, and it has long been hoped that the bout would take place at Wembley Stadium.

But Saudi boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh has been pushing for the start time of the fight to suit other time zones - most specifically, the United States.

Last month, a spokesperson for London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that he has 'made it clear that London would be the perfect place to stage the long-awaited bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury'.

"The Mayor stands ready to support ambitions to bring the event to our capital as we build a better London for everyone," the spokesperson continued.

READ MORE: London Mayor Sadiq Khan issues statement on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua in major update

Fury took a step closer to sealing the blockbuster fight against Joshua by comfortably beating Poland's Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday.

The bout, which was not televised, saw the referee wave the bout off shortly before the eighth round got underway.

'It's disgraceful...' - Bellew savages US plan for Fury vs Joshua

Speaking to DAZN after the fight, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said that New York's Madison Square Garden is the preferred location of Alalshikh, Netflix - who are broadcasting the event - and TKO board member Nick Khan for the fight to take place.

"But why?" a stunned Bellew asked. "Because the biggest numbers of pay-per-view buys are going to be in the UK."

"MSG, America, Showbiz... they've got a hard on for it," Hearn replied. "That's the reality."

Bellew hit back: "American boxing's dead, Ed. No-one cares. No-one cares in America.

"They had a WBC heavyweight champion for 10 years and no-one cared. He could walk down his own street and be unrecognised. It's disgraceful. So what are you going there for? What are we trying to do?"

Hearn said: "Why are you asking me?"

"I'm just sick of it," Bellew added. "We're appealing to America. Why? America don't care about us. When have America cared about boxing?

"They want what we've got. We've got the best crowds in the world. We've got the most passionate fans in the world. And that's why it should be with us.

"These [Fury and Joshua] are the two stalwarts of British boxing. These have put boxing back on the map."

In response to Bellew's comments, one fan wrote: "Well said Tony... needs to be in the UK end of but it's all about money, money, money."

A second agreed: "They don't care about the British public, they care about a payday."

While a third stated: "He's speaking for us all."

And a fourth wrote: "Sickening if this fight actually happens and it's not in front of 100,000 at Wembley."

A fifth added: "Bellew is right, there's no argument against it, two British boxers should be in the UK with the biggest and most passionate fans."