Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight in Cardiff confirmed as date announced

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will meet in a blockbuster late-night heavyweight fight in Cardiff later this year, it has been confirmed. The two rivals will meet at the Principality Stadium on Friday, December 11 in one of the most hotly-anticipated fights in British boxing for generation. The pair will step into the ring together for the first time, having traded a number of barbs over the course of their respective careers.

While there had initially been talk that the bout would be heading to the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, a clause in Joshua's contract meant the fight had to be staged on British soil - with the Principality Stadium soon emerging as the frontrunner to host the event. Now, it has been confirmed that the fight will indeed be held at the home of Welsh rugby, with the main event set to take place at 1am UK time in the early hours of Saturday, December 12, in order to cater to American television audiences.

The stadium currently has a 1am curfew for boxing events, with Cardiff Council saying earlier this month that no application had yet been received to extend it, with any such request needing 28 days to be processed. Matchroom Boxing, who represent Joshua, confirmed the event was happening in a post on X on Wednesday afternoon, which read: "THE WAIT IS OVER. "Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua finally collide, Friday 11 December at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff!"

Turki Al-Sheikh, the founder of fight promoters Zuffa Boxing, wrote on X: "For 15 years no one has been able to make this fight. Back in April, I said that any announcement would come from me. "I can now confirm that Fury Vs Joshua will be coming to the UK, as I promised British boxing fans. The time for talking is over........" Many hotels in Cardiff have already sold out for the Saturday night, while there have been steep price climbs for those with remaining availability.

One two-bedroom apartment room in the city centre has been listed for as much as £2,500. Bars and restaurants are also set for something of a headache, with many already booked up for the Christmas party season. Wembley was initially seen as the natural option to stage the fight given its global prestige, but it would have left fighters and thousands of fans exposed to the winter elements. It's understood that, due to its roof, the Principality, was seen as the better-suited option, allowing the fight to take place indoors without sacrificing tens of thousands of ticket sales.