The compromises and power struggles that shaped Fury-Joshua
BBC Sport takes a look at the compromises, power struggles and competing interests behind Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua.
After years of negotiations and power struggles, the long-awaited bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will take place on December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The fight is expected to feature the WBA Super heavyweight title, though confirmation from the governing body is still pending. The event, broadcast globally by Netflix, is a rare opportunity for two former world champions to regain a version of the heavyweight crown, despite both being in the twilight of their careers.
Promoter Frank Warren emphasized the importance of compromise in making the fight a reality, noting that both Fury and Joshua made concessions to reach an agreement. Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, described the push for a UK venue as a "two-man crusade" and claimed Joshua refused money to fight in the US. Warren, however, believed Fury could have insisted on his original contractual position to avoid collapsing the fight.
The involvement of UFC chief Dana White, partnered with Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, added another layer of complexity to the promotion.
The ringwalk time is yet to be confirmed, with both camps suggesting around 01:00 or 01:30 GMT. The winner of the fight is expected to continue towards further world-title opportunities, while the loser may end his journey in Cardiff. Regardless of the outcome, Fury and Joshua will finally face each other in the ring after a decade of stalled negotiations, public squabbling, and false starts.
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