Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are set for a 1am ring walk in their heavyweight boxing clash at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The bout is billed as taking place on Friday, December 11, but the main event is expected to begin in the early hours of Saturday morning UK time.
An application to Cardiff Council confirmed the ring walk is planned to start at around 1am, after a short live music performance, and the stadium will remain open until 3.30am. Those timings would suit peak viewing time in the United States, with Saudi Arabia's boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh, his American business partner Dana White and broadcasters Netflix having originally pushed for New York's Madison Square Garden as the venue.
Licence application for early-hours fight
Despite Cardiff being announced as the venue last month, required changes to its premises licence to allow the early-hours fight to go ahead have yet to be secured. In a bid to obtain the necessary permissions, Millennium Stadium plc has applied to the council to extend timings at the venue "on a very limited one-off occasion".
The application seeks to extend permitted hours for boxing and wrestling entertainment from an existing cut-off of 1am to 3am on December 12. A council spokesperson said: "This is to facilitate the proposed Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury bout, with the ring walk commencing at 0100."
Extended hours and event arrangements
The licence variation seeks an extension for live music on the same date, to facilitate a short live performance immediately before the ring walk. It also proposes an extension for recorded music, late-night refreshment and supply of alcohol until 3am, with the stadium closing time being moved to 3.30am.
The applicants added that the roof will be shut throughout the event and enhanced security and stewarding arrangements will be in place. An application to vary a premises licence must be advertised, including by displaying a notice at or on the premises, for 28 consecutive days.
Public objections and economic impact
Members of the public and other authorities may make an objection to the Principality Stadium application, or a comment in support, until November 3. If no relevant representations are received, the council must grant the application. If objections are made then a council hearing will be held to consider them.
This may result in modifications to the conditions of the licence, or the application may be refused altogether. After the fight was announced last month, Cardiff Council leader Chris Weaver said: "The contest at Principality Stadium has the potential to bring significant economic benefits to the city and attract visitors from across the UK and beyond."
"Major events provide a welcome boost for local businesses, support jobs and showcase Cardiff to a global audience. There are still some arrangements to be finalised with the organisers, including any required changes to Principality Stadium's premises licence, but we are looking forward to welcoming fans to the city for what promises to be an unforgettable night of boxing."
