Officials familiar with discussions say the Los Angeles venue has emerged as a preferred option for the long-awaited heavyweight showdown
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has reportedly emerged as the preferred venue for a potential Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight.
BoxingScene reported that two officials briefed on conversations involving Saudi Arabian boxing financier Turki Alalshikh during last month’s Pyramids of Giza event in Egypt identified SoFi Stadium as a preferred destination for the long-discussed clash between the British rivals.
Located in Inglewood, California, SoFi Stadium is one of the largest sports venues in the United States. While it accommodates 70,240 spectators for NFL games, the stadium can be expanded to host crowds approaching 100,000 for major events. The covered venue would also eliminate concerns over poor weather conditions that could affect a fall or winter stadium fight in the United Kingdom.
The report added that Saudi officials favor staging the event in an NFL stadium situated in a region with a strong boxing fanbase. The Los Angeles market has previously hosted Saudi-backed boxing cards, giving organizers experience in promoting major events in the area.
Both fighters, however, are expected to compete before any proposed meeting later this year. Joshua, 29-4 (26 KOs), is scheduled to return on July 25 in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prenga. Fury, 35-2-1 (24 KOs), has stated that he plans to fight on August 1 in Dublin before revisiting the possibility of facing his longtime domestic rival.
Fury has fought in Los Angeles before, battling Deontay Wilder to a dramatic draw at the then-Staples Center in December 2018. Joshua’s two previous appearances in the United States resulted in a knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami and his upset loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden in 2019.
Despite years of discussion surrounding a Fury-Joshua bout, neither the fight date nor venue has been formally confirmed. The latest report suggests that SoFi Stadium has emerged as a serious option should the long-awaited heavyweight contest finally move forward.