Fury makes U-turn, backs Cardiff for Joshua fight

Tyson Fury has declared his support for Cardiff as the venue for his highly anticipated heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua, hailing the prospect of a potential homecoming. The Welsh capital is now the frontrunner ahead of New York and the Middle East. Negotiations between Fury and Joshua's camps, along with broadcaster Netflix, are ongoing, with an announcement anticipated this week.

Fury confirmed his preference for the fight to take place in Wales via a post on Instagram, where he shared a photograph of himself at the Principality Stadium accompanied by a Welsh dragon. "If this fight happens in Wales, this will be amazing. All my mother's people are from Wales. It will be like a homecoming," he wrote.

Joshua's contract for the bout stipulates that it must occur in the United Kingdom, thereby eliminating Madison Square Garden in New York and Middle Eastern venues. Fury's uncle predicts a potential knockout victory for Joshua. The Principality Stadium, which hosted Joshua's 2017 win over Carlos Takam, drawing 78,000 fans, has emerged as the clear frontrunner due to Wembley Stadium lacking a roof.

Cardiff faces one of its busiest weekends in recent years, with hotel rooms in the city selling out for the proposed fight night. Planning for the event could be complicated by the stadium's 1am curfew, with organizers aiming to satisfy American television audiences. Cardiff Council stated that no application has been made to extend the curfew, with any request requiring a 28-day processing period.

Fury's shift in stance marks a departure from earlier talks, when the Principality Stadium was initially considered to salvage the fight after plans for a Wembley bout faltered over broadcast demands. Netflix is reportedly seeking a fight time that maximizes interest from its American audience, necessitating early morning action in the UK, which Wembley's curfew rules could not accommodate.