Joshua and Fury set for heavyweight showdown in Cardiff
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could finally be set to collide in Cardiff after the Principality Stadium emerged as the surprise solution to the dispute surrounding their heavyweight showdown, reports BritPanorama.
The Welsh Government is reportedly considering an exemption from the venue’s usual 10.30pm curfew, potentially allowing the British rivals to enter the ring at approximately 2am. Such an unusual start time would satisfy Netflix’s desire to broadcast the contest during prime viewing hours in the United States.
A date of Saturday, November 28 has been discussed, with The Times reporting that a press conference has provisionally been planned for next week. However, this announcement remains dependent on approval being granted for the early-hours event.
Cardiff has emerged as a compromise following disagreements over whether the blockbuster contest should take place at Wembley Stadium or Madison Square Garden in New York. Netflix had favoured New York because of its suitability for American audiences, while Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has repeatedly insisted that a fight of this magnitude belongs in Britain. Hearn has also been unwilling to accept changes to the existing arrangement unless improved financial terms are placed on the table.
Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh is believed to be demanding a 2am start. Wembley’s strict 11pm curfew consequently became a major obstacle, despite London mayor Sadiq Khan expressing his desire to help secure the fight. The 80,000-capacity Principality Stadium boasts a retractable roof, making it particularly attractive for an event scheduled to take place in late November. It also has experience of staging boxing deep into the night, with Joe Calzaghe’s victory over Mikkel Kessler at the same venue in 2007 beginning at around 2am.
A Welsh Rugby Union spokesperson stated, “We’d be delighted to host this fight. We are very keen to attract more boxing to the stadium, which has a rich history in the sport, enhanced by its closable roof, unrivalled sight lines and unique city-centre location.” Joshua has previously fought twice at the Principality Stadium, defeating Carlos Takam in 2017 before overcoming Joseph Parker the following year. Although Netflix has not formally approved Cardiff as the venue, respected boxing reporter Dan Rafael claimed a source at the streaming company had responded positively to the proposal.
After being asked whether Netflix would accept the move, the source reportedly said: “I think they’re OK.” The company has continued to advertise Joshua’s meeting with Fury, suggesting confidence remains high that an agreement will eventually be completed.
However, negotiations have been accompanied by a bitter war of words. Joshua has largely allowed Hearn to handle discussions publicly, but Fury has repeatedly suggested the contest could collapse because of the contractual and venue disagreements. “So it looks like AJ has s*** his pants yet again,” Fury said in a social media video. “After 11 years, he’s finally s*** his pants yet again.” The Gypsy King has also launched several personal attacks on Joshua while questioning his rival’s commitment to making the long-awaited fight happen.
As fan anticipation builds, the eagerness for British boxing’s biggest clash only heightens, reminding us of the sheer unpredictability that surrounds the sport — where hopes can swing between elation and despair with just a few words.
