Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: British heavyweight showdown set for Cardiff's Principality Stadium on December 11

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury's long-awaited all-British showdown will take place at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday December 11.

The location of the fight had been a major stumbling block during negotiations for the hugely anticipated heavyweight clash.

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Fury took to social media on multiple occasions to pin the blame for the delay on Joshua, before even touting a trilogy fight against Oleksandr Usyk, against whom both have lost twice, while Joshua's side had insisted the bout ought to be held in Britain.

But there was only ever one fight truly on the cards for them, with confirmation now coming that the heavyweight rivals will finally meet in arguably the biggest fight in British boxing history.

"For 15 years no one has been able to make this fight. Back in April, I said that any announcement would come from me," Turki Alalshikh wrote on X.

"I can now confirm that Fury ss Joshua will be coming to the UK, as I promised British boxing fans. The time for talking is over."

The start time of the main event was not included in the official announcement, but Cardiff Council confirmed that the bout will take place in the "early hours" of Saturday morning, a decision made to cater to US television audiences.

The pair will appear together at a press conference in London on Wednesday September 30.

Both Fury and Joshua swiftly reposted the promotional image for the fight to their social media channels.

Joshua shared a cryptic post shortly before Alalshikh's announcement, hinting at his own influence on the protracted negotiations.

"The quietest ones often pull the strings," Joshua wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of himself in front of a Union Jack. "Those who appear least involved may hold the greatest control. Let them shout first, the wisest wait until the final move. Yours truly, Anthony Joshua."

The statement officially confirming the date and location of the fight, which will be shown globally on Netflix, namechecked Alalshikh, The Ring and Dana White, but not Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, the respective long-time promoters of Fury and Joshua.

Alalshikh added: "Two of the best heavyweights of this generation, finally in the ring together. This will be one of the biggest fights in boxing history, I am very happy to make this fight happen for the fans."

The event organisers also promised a "star-studded undercard", which is set to be announced at a later date.

White said: "For more than a decade, boxing fans have been clamouring for the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

"Together, they bring 66 wins, 52 knockouts and multiple heavyweight world titles into the ring. On December 11, two of the biggest heavyweights of this generation finally collide - and the winner will take a significant place in heavyweight history."

Finally: How Fury vs AJ was agreed

Joshua and Fury, both former heavyweight world champions, have had a long-running rivalry that's stretched over years, punctuated by callouts and trash talk but marred by the difficulty of finalising a deal.

Earlier this year the British boxing stars did sign to fight one another but months passed without a date or a venue being set. The wrangling intensified as taking the contest to New York's Madison Square Garden became a genuine possibility.

The fight appeared to be on the edge of collapse once again, with Fury threatening to seek alternative options.

But the all-British showdown has been salvaged and has now set a date for a UK stadium.

The Principality Stadium is no stranger to major UK boxing events. Joshua has fought there twice before, against Carlos Takam and in a unification with Joseph Parker. Historically, the all-British heavyweight super-fight between Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno took place at the National Stadium in Cardiff, which preceded the Principality.

The main event is expected to start late at night due to international broadcasting considerations. But there is a precedent for that. Joe Calzaghe's 2007 fight with Mikkel Kessler took place at the stadium in the early hours of the morning.

As tortuous as negotiations for this super-fight have been, events in the ring also threatened to derail it.

Joshua's tune-up bout in July almost ended in disaster when little-known Kristian Prenga knocked him down twice in the first round. Joshua rallied to dispatch Prenga in the second round.

Fury's road to the fight has also been unusual. He announced his retirement after losing a rematch to Oleksandr Usyk and, after a year out of the sport, began training in Thailand. In April he came back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London when he soundly outpointed Aslanbek Makhmudov.

He decided he wanted his own additional warm-up in July and boxed Mariusz Wach in Thailand in a non-TV bout, eventually stopping the veteran after seven rounds.

But the long journey towards Fury vs Joshua is now in its final stretch, set to end finally on December 11 in Cardiff.

'Now the talking can start'

Sky Sports' Andy Scott on Sky Sports News:

"Take the safety catch off, it is happening. Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua is confirmed, and the two great rivals will meet in Cardiff on December 11.

"How many years have we been waiting for this? We've heard all the narratives, who is ducking who and who doesn't want the fight, but finally Fury and Joshua will settle it.

"There are few things to take from Turki Alalshikh's announcement. It is Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua. It's billed as Fury vs Joshua so let's see what that means for who ring walks first, who is announced first, and who gets the home dressing room.

"These are all things that have been argued over and I'm sure there will be a few more bumps in the road as we get to December 11, but the news is that this fight is happening. It is finally over the line.

"Turki posted on X about the time for talking being over, but I disagree, the talking starts now. Fury will get his chance at a press conference to talk directly to Joshua and Eddie Hearn will surely have plenty to say after not moving from the fight being in the UK.

"Well, this is it. The fight is finally happening and it is great news for British boxing fans."

Nelson: The biggest all-British fight in boxing history

Former cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson on Sky Sports News:

"At last, at last! It's been on, it's been off, it's been frustrating. It's like a bit of a soap opera. So, now, finally, officially, there's a date to get excited about. Someone's Christmas is going to be good and someone's is going to be bad, after December 11.

"Obviously, it's a few years later than what it should be, but this fight is finally happening. It's going to be so big. It's going to be on the tip of everybody's tongue. It just gets that debate rolling on even further until the fight finally happens."

On whether it's the biggest all-British bout in boxing history:

"In my lifetime, yes. There's been some big fights, Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno.

"But you've got two homegrown talents that have achieved amazing things, that are probably at the same stage in their career right now. So, either way, regardless of whether it should have been five or 10 years ago, you've got these two guys who will bring out the best in each other.

"It will be a war of words first, I think that will show one side of the card. I'm quite sure it's going to get a bit colourful. But then let's get to fight night and see exactly how this pans out."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: British heavyweight showdown set for Cardiff's Principality Stadium on December 11