Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have confirmed their long-awaited boxing match, scheduled for December 11 in Cardiff. The announcement was made during a press conference in London, where both boxers addressed the delays that have surrounded the fight. Fury, 38, responded to questions about whether the fight had come too late, stating, "Is it too late?… It’s the icing on the cake of two great careers." Joshua, 36, and Fury have been at the center of speculation regarding their match for several years.
The two fighters have faced numerous obstacles in finalizing the bout, including contractual disputes and the involvement of other fighters. The history of negotiations dates back to 2020, when both camps agreed to a two-fight deal. However, complications arose when Deontay Wilder won an arbitration case that required Fury to engage in a trilogy fight in 2021. In 2022, a proposed 60-40 purse split in Fury's favor fell through. During this time, Oleksandr Usyk defeated Joshua twice, further complicating the landscape.
The fight will be promoted in collaboration with Netflix, Turki Alshikh’s The Ring magazine, and Dana White, the owner of UFC. Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has expressed concerns about White's involvement, stating that Joshua's contract prohibits White and Zuffa Boxing from participating in the promotion. Fury has criticized Hearn, claiming he has hindered the fight's progress.
The fighters are reportedly set to share a $200 million purse, which would be a record for British boxers. Both fighters expressed their determination to inspire future generations through their match, with Joshua stating, "I know we are going to inspire this generation, and I know for a fact we are going to inspire the next generation." Fury added that he intends to knock Joshua out, to which Joshua responded positively, indicating that such energy is desired leading up to the fight.