The long-anticipated heavyweight boxing matchup between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been officially confirmed for December 11 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The announcement was made by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation. The fight, described as a major event in British boxing history, will be streamed globally on Netflix without additional cost, in partnership with promoter Dana White’s The Ring.
The bout marks the culmination of a rivalry that has spanned nearly a decade, with both fighters holding multiple world titles at various points in their careers. Joshua enters with a professional record of 30 wins and 4 losses, while Fury has 36 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw.
Negotiations over the venue delayed the announcement for several months following the signing of contracts in April. Initially, the fight was slated for November 20 and reportedly targeted for New York’s Madison Square Garden. However, Joshua’s contract explicitly stipulated that the bout must take place in the United Kingdom. Promoter Eddie Hearn emphasized that the UK location clause was a critical factor in finalizing the deal, citing concerns over heavier US taxes and the preferences of both camps.
Netflix and the Saudi financiers involved in backing the fight reportedly preferred New York to capitalize on a US prime-time audience. However, public opinion and contractual obligations pressured the parties to settle on Cardiff. The fight’s ringwalks are scheduled for the early hours of December 12—around 1 to 2 a.m.—to align with broadcasting schedules across the Atlantic. The undercard will begin on Friday night, potentially featuring other notable names such as Manny Pacquiao, who is reportedly in talks for a supporting bout against world champion Shakur Stevenson.
Despite the official confirmation, tension remains over certain logistical details, including who will walk to the ring first and dressing room assignments. Joshua’s team has also raised concerns that Tyson Fury was not subject to continuous drug testing following his April fight, a stipulation Joshua’s camp believed was in the contract. Fury’s representatives contend that testing would only begin once the fight was officially announced.
Both fighters are expected to attend a joint press conference on September 30 in London at the British Airways Arc to further promote the event. The fight represents not only a clash between two of the era’s biggest British boxing figures but also a lucrative payday, with each competitor set to earn an estimated £75 million.
After years of public rivalry and contractual delays, the Fury-Joshua bout is poised to deliver one of the most significant heavyweight contests in recent boxing history on home soil.