Fury vs Joshua confirmed for Cardiff — IBF champion Filip Hrgovic backs Fury
Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua is set for the Principality Stadium on December 11. Reigning IBF champion Filip Hrgovic has given his verdict, telling talkSPORT Boxing he favours Fury to win.
Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua has been made official for the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday, December 11, Boxing News reports. After years of speculation and stalled venue negotiations, the long-anticipated domestic heavyweight showdown will now take place in the UK. Reigning IBF heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic has weighed in on the fight, telling talkSPORT Boxing that he expects Fury to prevail. The announcement ends a protracted period of talks that at times looked in jeopardy because of disagreements over where to stage the bout.
Fury and Joshua to meet in Cardiff on December 11
Boxing News reports that Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday, December 11. The meeting brings to a head nearly a decade of talk about a UK heavyweight showdown between the pair. Fury renewed the public push for the bout in April after his comeback win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, and both men fought separate warm-up fights in July, fuelling expectations that a deal was close. Those developments culminated in the Cardiff date being announced and the fight being declared official by promoters.
Location standoff and negotiations that nearly derailed the clash
Talk of a Fury–Joshua fight often stalled over the question of venue. Promoters Sela and broadcaster Netflix were reported to favour New York as the host city, a sticking point that prompted concern that the fight could collapse. According to Boxing News, Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, successfully fought to bring the event to the UK, with Principality Stadium in Cardiff now confirmed as the venue. The announcement follows a period of intense negotiation that at times left fans uncertain whether the final arrangements could be reached.
IBF champion Filip Hrgovic sides with Fury after his own title breakthrough
Boxing News says Filip Hrgovic — the reigning IBF heavyweight champion — has offered his view on the Cardiff showdown. Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing, Hrgovic said he favours Tyson Fury. Hrgovic captured the IBF belt last month with what Boxing News describes as a shock victory over Moses Itauma. The scheduled Fury–Joshua meeting will mark Fury's first three-fight year since 2018, a season in which he returned from a lengthy lay-off to beat Sefer Seferi and Francesco Pianeta before a controversial draw in his challenge for Deontay Wilder's WBC heavyweight title.