Fury to Face Anthony Joshua in Cardiff on December 11

Boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will meet in an all-British heavyweight clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11, ending more than a decade of failed attempts to make the fight happen.

The bout had previously been linked with Wembley Stadium in London and Madison Square Garden in New York before promoters settled on the 80,000-capacity Welsh venue.

Saudi Arabian boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh announced the date and location on Thursday after months of negotiations that had been complicated by Fury’s calls for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Alalshikh said the long-awaited fight would finally take place in the UK, adding that the time for discussions was over.

“For 15 years no one has been able to make this fight,” he wrote. 

“Back in April, I said that any announcement would come from me. I can now confirm that Fury Vs Joshua will be coming to the UK, as I promised British boxing fans. The time for talking is over…”

The Principality Stadium has previously hosted major football fixtures, including Champions League and FA Cup finals, as well as Wales football and rugby internationals.

The fight will be broadcast on Netflix and is expected to be one of the biggest events in British boxing.

Fury, 38, last fought in July, defeating 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Thailand.

Joshua, 36, recorded a victory in his most recent bout two months ago after recovering from two first-round knockdowns against Kristian Prenga.

Although both former two-time world champions had signed contracts for the fight earlier this year, the date and venue had yet to be finalised.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, thanked British fans for their support in helping the fight reach the final stage.

“Forever indebted to the UK public for their support of Anthony Joshua. We couldn’t have got this over the line without you,” his promoter Eddie Hearn said.

The bout has been more than a decade in the making, with numerous proposed dates, venues and public disagreements delaying the meeting.

Reports suggest the fight could take place in the early hours of the morning in the UK to accommodate television audiences in the United States.

Following the announcement, Joshua posted on Instagram that he was inspiring a generation.

“I am inspiring a generation,” Joshua said. 

Fury has won 36 of his 39 professional fights and previously held the WBC, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles. He suffered two defeats to Usyk in world title fights in 2024.

Joshua has 30 wins from 34 bouts and previously held the WBO and IBF titles. He also lost twice to Usyk, in 2021 and 2022.

Fury and Joshua are scheduled to begin the build-up to the fight with a press conference in London on September 30.

Alalshikh described the bout as a meeting between two of the leading heavyweights of their generation and said he was pleased to finally deliver the fight to fans.

“Two of the best heavyweights of this generation, finally in the ring together,” Alalshikh said.

“This will be one of the biggest fights in boxing history, I am very happy to make this fight happen for the fans.”