Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury ‘increasingly likely’ for surprise UK venue

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Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is reportedly ‘increasingly likely’ to stage Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury.According to The Times, the Welsh government is deciding whether to lift the venue’s 10:30pm curfew so it can host the blockbuster all-British clash on November 20.Joshua vs Fury, which will take place on Netflix, is now set to land in the UK following several reports of it happening StatesideGettyThey report a press conference is ‘tentatively scheduled’ for next week, pending approval to lift the curfew, which could come within the next 24 hours.Location for AJ vs Fury finally settled?Joshua and Fury have already signed a contract to meet by the end of this year, but a location disagreement has stalled an announcement.Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, has stood firm on his belief it should take place on British soil, given that was a clause in AJ’s contract.Hearn told talkSPORT in August that he was ‘under a lot of pressure’ to move the bout Stateside — a shift favoured by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh and broadcaster Netflix.Alalshikh, who signed ‘AJ’ to a two-fight deal earlier this year, and Netflix were allegedly pushing for the fight to take place at New York’s Madison Square Garden on a Friday to capitalise on primetime viewership.Yet despite Hearn’s Matchroom presenting an addendum with requirements for the location change, the British promoter has continued to oppose taking the fight outside the UK.Last week, Hearn then threatened legal action against TKO Group Holdings — the parent company of Dana White‘s UFC and Zuffa Boxing — for trying to ‘lure’ Joshua into a location change behind his back.White has exchanged verbal blows with Hearn for months now, claiming he agreed the venue deal for Joshua vs Fury, although the latter has said the UFC boss will have no involvement in the fight.Nonetheless, it seems like all parties have finally settled on a location for the long-awaited heavyweight bout.Wembley Stadium was once the front-runner, but Alalshikh’s request for a 2am start time has seemingly prevented that plan, given the national venue has a curfew which can only be extended until 1am.The Principality Stadium is ‘increasingly likely’ to host Joshua vs Fury according to The TimesGettyJoshua is one of many British greats to have fought at the stadium beforehandGettyCardiff’s rich boxing historyThe Principality Stadium in Cardiff first put itself forward to host the clash in July, insisting a 2am start would present no issues.A spokesperson for Welsh Rugby Union, who own the stadium, told Sky Sports: “We’d be delighted to host this fight.“We are very keen to attract more boxing to the stadium which has a rich history in the sport, enhanced by its closable roof, unrivalled sight lines and unique city centre location.”The venue has a rich association with boxing and the closable roof — useful to prevent any weather hazards for a winter date — may have been a deciding factor.It can hold up to 80,000 fans for boxing events, with the previous record set by Joshua’s victory over Carlos Takam in 2017 at over 78,000.It could be around 10,000 short of Wembley, but would still represent a sizeable gate far bigger than an indoor arena.Welsh great Joe Calzaghe famously fought Mikkel Kessler late overnight at the venue in 2007.Joshua himself has fought twice at the venue at a traditional UK time, having also fought Joseph Parker on Cymru shores.Another famous all-British heavyweight clash between Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno took place in Cardiff at the old National Stadium in 1993.Watch Boxing on DAZN*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenueSign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.Click here to sign up.