Key facts
- Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury's heavyweight fight is expected to be held at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
- The fight is scheduled for December 11.
- Joshua's camp insisted the bout take place in the UK, overriding preferences for a New York venue.
- The Principality Stadium's retractable roof makes it suitable for a winter event.
- The venue's capacity for boxing configurations can exceed 74,000.
The long-awaited heavyweight boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is expected to take place at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on December 11. While final details are still being confirmed by organizers Sela and broadcast partner Netflix, Cardiff has emerged as the leading candidate.
Initially, New York was considered the frontrunner, with plans for a news conference at Madison Square Garden nearly complete. However, Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn stood firm on their contractual right for the fight to be held in the United Kingdom. Fury's separate agreement with Sela did not include such a restriction, creating a divergence in preferences.
Organizers had explored waiving the UK clause, but this stand-off threatened the event. Fury briefly suggested a trilogy fight with Oleksandr Usyk before relenting. The need for a British venue capable of accommodating broadcast demands and mitigating the risks of a winter event led to Cardiff's selection.
The Principality Stadium's retractable roof offers a solution to potential weather issues in December, allowing for a large stadium atmosphere and significant gate revenue. The venue has previously hosted large boxing events, including Joshua's fights in 2017 and 2018. The projected UK ring walk time of around 01:00 GMT is intended to align with prime-time viewing in the United States, though Wembley Stadium's curfew posed a challenge for London venues.