British heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will square off in a bout on Dec. 11 in Cardiff, Wales.
The bout, which will be broadcast on Netflix, was announced Thursday after more than a decade of barbs between Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) and Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs).
“For 15 years no one has been able to make this fight,” Saudi Arabian boxing power broker Turki Al-Sheikh wrote on social media. “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 fight will be promoted by Ring Magazine, which is owned by Turki Al-Sheikh, in partnership with UFC president Dana White.
“For more than a decade, boxing fans have been clamoring for the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua,” White said in a statement.
“Together, they bring 66 wins, 52 knockouts and multiple heavyweight world titles into the ring. On Dec. 11, two of the biggest heavyweights of this generation finally collide — and the winner will take a significant place in heavyweight history.”
Fury, 38, and Joshua, 36, signed contracts in April to face off this year, but finding a date and location had been elusive. Each fighter had different location provisions in his contract.
Joshua ultimately was pleased with the decision, posting a photo of himself on Instagram standing in front of a Union Jack flag with the caption:
“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.
“Yours truly, Anthony Joshua.”
Principality Stadium in Cardiff, which holds 73,931 fans, is the venue likely because its roof would prevent weather from causing a delay.
Unlike Wembley Stadium, which commonly obeys an 11 p.m. local curfew, Principality Stadium has hosted early-morning sporting events.
–Field Level Media
