Legendary venue the new 'favourite' to host Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight this year

Madison Square Garden is the new 'favourite' to host the eagerly-awaited clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua later this year.

The Telegraph claims the legendary New York venue has emerged as the favourite to host the 'Battle of Britain' fight in November, with a winter clash at Wembley Stadium now looking unlikely.

With the fight backed by streaming giant Netflix and Saudi minister Turki Alalshikh, there is understandably a preference to get the fight between Fury and Joshua viewed by as many people as possible.

Although there would be an irony about two British heavyweights battling it out in the US rather than in the UK, it might be the only way to get a fight confirmed this year.

The report speculates that for the fight to take place at Wembley Stadium or the Principality Stadium, it would most likely need to be held in spring 2027, when the weather is better. However, for that to happen, both fighters would need to organise another warm-up fight, which could represent too much of a risk after Joshua was recently dropped twice by Kristian Prenga in the opening round.

American singer-songwriter and actress JoJo performs the national anthem before the undisputed super lightweight championship fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA. ( Getty Images)

With Netflix eager to target a North American audience, the fight would also need to start in the very early hours of the morning. The report states the main event ringwalk would take place at 2 am at the earliest, which would pose logistical issues due to a lack of transport and the unpredictable British weather.

It is for those reasons that hosting the fight in Manhattan would appeal so much to the organisers. However, hosting it at MSG doesn't come without its own risks.

There are questions over whether a US audience would be that interested in a fight between Fury and Joshua, given that they have both recently tasted defeat and are no longer at the height of their powers. The report brutally adds: "Fury vs Joshua risks being viewed not as an all-time classic, but as a nostalgic exhibition between two proud lions past their absolute zenith.

Another factor to consider is the rise of Moses Itauma. The 21-year-old is the rising star of the sport and could become the second-youngest heavyweight champion in history, after Mike Tyson, if he wins the International Boxing Federation world title at the end of the month.

If the fight doesn't take place this year, then there could be even less interest in watching it in Spring 2027 when there is a new star dominating the heavyweight division.