Fury makes U-turn, backs Cardiff for Joshua fight

Tyson Fury has expressed his support for Cardiff to host his highly anticipated heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua. The Welsh capital is now seen as a strong favorite for the event, ahead of New York and Middle Eastern venues. Fury shared his preference on Instagram, referencing his Welsh heritage and describing the fight as a potential homecoming.

An announcement regarding the fight location is expected to be made this week. The match must take place in the United Kingdom, ruling out Madison Square Garden in New York and Middle Eastern venues. Fury's uncle predicts that Joshua will secure a knockout victory in the December 11 bout. With Wembley Stadium lacking a roof, Cardiff's Principality Stadium has become the primary contender.

The stadium previously hosted Joshua's successful 2017 fight against Carlos Takam, attracting 78,000 spectators. If confirmed, the fight would mark a busy weekend for Cardiff, as the city is already seeing a surge in Christmas shoppers. Hotel rooms in the area are in high demand, with the Hilton, Parkgate, and Marriott all sold out for the proposed event.

While planning may be complicated by the stadium's 1 am curfew, organizers are aiming to satisfy American television audiences. Cardiff Council stated that no application has been received to extend the curfew, noting that such a request would require 28 days to be processed. Fury's change of heart regarding the venue comes after previous discussions, when Cardiff's Principality Stadium was initially proposed as a solution following Wembley's stalled negotiations due to broadcast demands.

Netflix is reported to be seeking a fight time that maximizes interest from its American audience, which would necessitate scheduling the fight early in the morning in the UK. Unfortunately, Wembley's curfew rules would not permit this timing.