The long-awaited Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua showdown finally appears to be heading toward UK soil, but it may cost the fight its original date.
The bout had been in serious doubt for weeks amid a venue standoff, with organizers SELA and broadcaster Netflix pushing for a New York location while Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn held firm on the original contract calling for a UK venue.
That standoff now looks to be tilting Joshua and Hearn’s way, with Cardiff’s Principality Stadium emerging as the new frontrunner over the last 24 hours, though the previously floated November 20 date may no longer hold.
Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, told Sky Sports that December is now the preferred option given how close it sits to the holidays, floating the idea of turning the fight into a Christmas-season spectacle.
Brown said three venues remain under consideration, with Cardiff and Wembley still the top contenders, and expressed confidence that the fight is coming together as the all-British spectacle fans have been hoping for, adding that Fury has been ready to face Joshua from the very beginning and would fight him at any location.
November and December are both in play but we like December as an option, everyone would be winding up work for the holidays, it would be the best Christmas party in the world.
“It’s inching closer and it looks like it could be the British Boxing Bonanza that we all hoped for taking place in Britain. Three venues are still under consideration with Cardiff and Wembley still in the running.
“It’s looking good, Tyson has been onboard with fighting AJ since the start and he will fight him anywhere.
The optimistic update comes despite a separate ongoing war of words between Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White and Matchroom’s Hearn over the fight’s direction. Even so, Brown’s comments suggest the biggest hurdle, actually locking down where the fight happens, may finally be resolved, even if it means fans have to wait a little longer to see it.
