The long-running saga over Britain’s biggest heavyweight collision has officially entered a critical new phase. After nearly a decade of trash talk, failed negotiations, and intense promotional tug-of-war, the Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua bout now has real momentum.
Both fighters signed basic terms earlier this year, but logistical battles over broadcast preferences and global host cities threatened to derail the matchup once again. Amid this, a leak from an industry insider has handed fans a concrete timeline and an official venue layout.
Dan Rafael Offers Location Update on Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
Initial plans for the heavyweight bout heavily favored New York City. In early September, “The Gypsy King” publicly announced that the all-British fight would take place at Madison Square Garden, with organizers targeting the Nov. 20 date.
However, Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, firmly rejected moving the event to the United States. They insisted on a United Kingdom venue because a New York fight would cost Joshua nearly half of his purse.
On American soil, Joshua would face a 37% US federal tax plus a 14.7% New York state and city tax. Out of his estimated $100 million payout, nearly $50 million would go directly to the US tax system, explaining why his team refused to fight in New York.
The geographic standoff finally ended when veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael broke the latest update. Citing a source with direct involvement, Rafael reported that if both sides fully finalize the contracts, the fight will take place on Dec. 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
He wrote, “NEWS: Per source with direct involvement, #JoshuaFury, if all is 100% buttoned up, will be on Dec. 11 in Cardiff. Still will take some time to wrap up the bureaucracy of getting permits in place. Nov. 28 and Dec. 4 were also dates part of the discussion.”
Before the sudden change to Wales, even the promoters believed the event was heading overseas. In late August, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren speculated that the massive financial backing from overseas organizers would override domestic demands. “I hope I’m wrong, but I think it will go on in America,” Warren told Sky Sports News.
However, this new venue keeps the fight in the UK for British fans, but organizers still need local officials to approve the event permits. The 74,000-seat stadium has a retractable roof, which will protect the event from winter weather. Broadcasters will likely set a late local start time so American pay-per-view audiences can watch live.
Both fighters successfully won their warm-up fights while completing negotiations. Fury stopped Mariusz Wach in July after defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, immediately calling out Joshua on the microphone. Joshua returned from a car crash to secure a second-round stoppage against Kristian Prenga in July.
At 38 and 36 years old, both fighters are in the final stages of their careers, increasing the pressure to finalize the event. Legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson also argued to keep the fight on British soil despite the fact that his own legal record prevents him from legally entering the country to watch the card live.
For now, Rafael’s report provides credible information that fans can trust, showing the fight is not on the brink of collapse. However, nothing is official until organizers formally announce the date and location.
