Joshua vs Fury Set for December Clash in Wales

The long-awaited fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is officially on. The two British heavyweights will meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday, 11 December. Fans around the world can watch the event live via Netflix.

The location decision ended a debate that nearly placed the fight at New York City's Madison Square Garden, which would have sparked controversy given the fighters' UK roots. To accommodate American viewers, the ring walks might occur in the early hours of the following day.

Background on the Fighters

Joshua, aged 36, and Fury, 38, have both held the world heavyweight title twice. Their potential matchup has stirred discussion for almost ten years. In 2021, a scheduled fight was cancelled when Deontay Wilder threatened legal action, leading Fury into a trilogy with Wilder. Fury won the third bout to keep the WBC belt.

That same month, Joshua lost his unified heavyweight titles after being outpointed by Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua's defeat marked his second career loss, and he suffered another in a 2022 rematch against Usyk. Meanwhile, Fury was defeated twice by Usyk in 2024.

The Road to December

Despite setbacks and lost titles, the idea of a Joshua-Fury fight remained alive. Fury came out of his fifth retirement in April and beat Arslanbek Makhmudov on points while Joshua watched ringside. Shortly after, the fight was signed though details were not finalized then.

Joshua fought Jake Paul in December, winning in the sixth round. Just days later, he survived a car crash that tragically killed two teammates. Joshua’s next fight in July saw him knocked down twice early but recover for a second-round knockout of Kristian Prenga. Around the same time, Fury defeated 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Thailand, though the bout was not broadcast.

Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh suggested a November date at London’s Wembley Stadium but noted that ring walks would have to be as late as 2am GMT to reach global audiences. Although Joshua’s contract required a UK venue, the US was considered. Fury and other key negotiators favored a Stateside location, but Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn opposed it, so the fight stayed in the UK.

Comments from Turki Alalshikh

“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.”