Hearn Risks Matchroom’s Future for Aging Joshua

Joshua and Fury had agreed to fight November 20 at Madison Square Garden. Hearn resisted the New York venue because Joshua’s contract required the contest to take place in Britain. The heavyweight clash is now likely to land at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11.

That gives Hearn a victory he can sell to the British public, but the reported 2 a.m. local start removes much of its meaning. Seventy thousand paying spectators may be asked to remain inside the stadium until early morning so Netflix can show the fight during American prime time.

If Jones is correct that American viewers have little interest in Fury–Joshua, the compromise becomes harder to defend. Britain provides the crowd, ticket money and atmosphere while the broadcast schedule caters to an audience that Jones says does not care.