By Field Level Media
Sep 20 (Field Level Media) - Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will step into the ring for their highly anticipated heavyweight fight in December in Cardiff, Wales, The Athletic reported Sunday.
According to the report, Dec. 11 is the target date, but it has yet to be confirmed and could be changed.
The fighters' teams are awaiting confirmation from Netflix, Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh and Sela, the Public Investment Fund-owned Saudi Arabian entertainment company.
The bout,
which is said to be worth close to $200 million, will receive financial backing from Netflix, which will have broadcast rights.
An announcement could come this week if the date and details are finalized.
The heavyweights signed contracts in April to face off this year, but finding a date and location has been elusive. Each fighter has different location provisions in his contract.
Joshua, 36, has said the bout must be held in the United Kingdom, preferably at Wembley Stadium in London.
New York, Las Vegas and Dublin have all been discussed as possible locations.
Netflix wants the bout to be held in prime time for a U.S. audience. As a result, TKO Group Holdings was brought in to assist negotiations for a U.S. venue. Las Vegas was a consideration before a potential deal was brokered to host the bout Nov. 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn had indicated they were willing to compromise on the location, but opted not to drop the clause in their contract calling for the fight to take place in the UK. According to The Athletic, Fury, 38, has agreed to fight Joshua in the UK.
Principality Stadium in Cardiff, which holds 73,931 fans, is the likely venue because its roof would prevent weather from causing a delay. Also, permits for a later start there will be easier to secure.
Unlike Wembley Stadium, which commonly obeys an 11 p.m. local curfew, Principality Stadium has hosted early-morning sporting events.
The Athletic reported that a compromise of 1 a.m. UK time/8 p.m. ET is on the table.
(--Field Level Media)
