Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will finally fight each other at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, December 11, bringing an end to years of failed negotiations between two of British boxing’s biggest names.
The long-awaited heavyweight clash has now been agreed after months of talks between both camps.
The fight will be broadcast live on Netflix.
Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh announced the agreement, declaring that “the time for talking is over”.
Years Of Failed Negotiations Finally End
Joshua and Fury have spent much of the past decade being linked with a fight against each other.
Attempts to stage the bout repeatedly collapsed despite both men holding heavyweight world titles during the same era.
One of the most significant failed attempts came in 2021, when plans were derailed after a US judge ruled Fury had to face Deontay Wilder again.
Further negotiations have followed since, with both sides at times accusing the other of delaying an agreement.
The Cardiff announcement now means the fight is finally scheduled to take place.
Principality Stadium Chosen
The fight will be staged at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff after earlier reports suggested New York or Saudi Arabia could host the event.
Fury had previously suggested Madison Square Garden in New York could be the venue.
On Tuesday, however, he posted an image of a Welsh dragon and described fighting in Wales as a “homecoming”, pointing to his mother’s family connections with the country.
Joshua also shared the official fight poster on Instagram following the announcement.
In another post, he wrote: “The quietest ones often pull the strings. Those who appear least involved may hold the greatest control.
“Let them shout first, the wisest wait until the final move.”
Start Time Still Unconfirmed
No official start time has yet been announced.
There have been suggestions that the main event could take place in the early hours of the morning in order to attract a larger audience in the United States.
That possibility has created an additional issue for the venue.
The Welsh Rugby Union, which owns the Principality Stadium, has said the event remains subject to a change to its premises licence.
Under the current licence, boxing and wrestling events are permitted until 1am when the stadium roof is closed.
London Press Conference Planned
Joshua and Fury are due to appear together at a press conference in London on September 30.
It will be one of the first major promotional events for a fight British boxing fans have waited years to see.
Both men have previously exchanged public criticism and accusations during failed negotiations.
Both Men Returned With Wins In July
Joshua’s most recent fight came in July, when he stopped Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in the second round.
Joshua was knocked down inside the opening 20 seconds before recovering to win.
It was the 36-year-old’s first fight since surviving a car crash in December which killed two of his friends.
Fury also returned in July, stopping Mariusz Wach in the seventh round in Thailand.
Both bouts were regarded as lower-risk comeback fights ahead of the planned meeting between the two former champions.
Neither Man Currently Holds A World Title
Joshua and Fury were previously among the dominant figures in heavyweight boxing, but neither currently holds a world championship.
Both men were beaten twice by Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua has also suffered defeats against Andy Ruiz Jr and Daniel Dubois.
Despite neither fighter being at the peak of his career, the rivalry and years of failed negotiations mean their meeting is still expected to generate enormous interest.
Dubois And Wardley Also In Heavyweight Picture
Daniel Dubois is currently WBO heavyweight champion and is due to face Fabio Wardley next month in a rematch.
Usyk voluntarily vacated his world titles, allowing him greater freedom over his future opponents rather than being bound by mandatory challengers imposed by the sport’s governing bodies.
Joshua and Fury will now turn their attention towards December 11 as one of British boxing’s longest-running rivalries finally reaches the ring.
