Luke Littler Criticizes Scheduling of Fury vs. Joshua Fight Clashing with Darts Championship Opener
Young darts champion expresses frustration on social media over the timing of the highly anticipated boxing match.
Darts player Luke Littler has voiced his displeasure regarding the scheduling of the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua boxing match, which is set to occur on the opening night of the World Darts Championship.
Littler, the defending darts champion, is slated to compete in the tournament's curtain-raiser on December 11 at Alexandra Palace in London. The highly anticipated boxing bout between Fury and Joshua is scheduled for the same evening at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. While the boxing match's ring walks are not expected until around 2 a.m. on December 12, to accommodate an American audience, Littler expressed his frustration on Instagram.
"A message to the Hearns (promoters): what is this?" Littler posted, addressing Eddie Hearn. "Opening night of the World Championship (world champion plays on opening night 11th December) and you put one of the biggest fights in Britain on the same night. You had one job."
Following a reportedly negative reaction to his initial post, Littler later claimed he was joking. "Why's everyone so sensitive it's literally a JOKE cmon guys," he added.
The boxing match's timing does not coincide with the World Darts Championship final in early January, a period when Littler aims to secure his third consecutive world title.
The Fury vs. Joshua fight is a significant event, with reports indicating that both fighters are expected to earn approximately £75 million each. The bout's location was initially debated, with plans for it to be held in New York considered before Joshua's team, led by Eddie Hearn, successfully advocated for the fight to take place in the UK. The Principality Stadium in Cardiff was chosen due to its roof and the Welsh government's willingness to adjust its late-night curfew.
Turki Alalshikh, a boxing official, confirmed the event's move to the UK, stating, "Fury Vs Joshua will be coming to the UK, as I promised British boxing fans. The time for talking is over. Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua. Years in the making. One night to settle it. December 11th. LIVE on Netflix."
Netflix will broadcast the heavyweight showdown, making it available to subscribers at no additional cost. The fight's location in the UK was also influenced by tax considerations, with potential earnings in the U.S. facing a higher tax rate compared to the UK. Joshua's team reportedly pushed for a British venue to honor the contract stipulations regarding a fight on home soil.