Cardiff's Principality Stadium has emerged as the likely venue for the highly anticipated boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, with a proposed November date. The Welsh government is reportedly considering waiving the stadium's 10:30 p.m. curfew to allow the fight to take place in the early morning hours, potentially around 2 a.m., to accommodate broadcaster Netflix's audience in the United States.
This development comes after disputes over venue selection, with Wembley Stadium in London and Madison Square Garden in New York also being considered. Promoter Eddie Hearn had favored Wembley, arguing for a UK-based hosting of a significant British boxing event, while Netflix had pushed for a New York location to align with U.S. prime time viewing hours. The 80,000-capacity Principality Stadium, which features a retractable roof, is now seen as a compromise location.
A date of Friday, November 20, has been mentioned, and a press conference is tentatively scheduled for the following week, pending government approval. Boxing dealmaker Turki Al-Sheikh has been insistent on a 2 a.m. start time.
Netflix has been running advertisements for the bout, indicating confidence in an agreement. While the streaming giant has not yet officially approved Cardiff, sources have indicated they are likely to be amenable.
The Principality Stadium has a history of hosting late-night boxing events, including Joe Calzaghe's fight against Mikkel Kessler in 2007, which also began around 2 a.m. Anthony Joshua himself has fought in Cardiff twice before, defeating Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Discussions surrounding the venue and contracts have been contentious. Tyson Fury has publicly expressed frustration, at times suggesting the fight might not happen. He has also made critical remarks about Joshua on social media, referencing past events and Joshua's past residence in Dubai.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Rugby Union stated their eagerness to host the fight, highlighting the stadium's suitability, including its roof, sight lines, and location. If approved, Cardiff could provide the resolution needed to finalize the highly anticipated heavyweight contest.
