Cardiff's Principality Stadium has emerged as a contender to host Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury this winter, after Wembley's chances of staging the heavyweight showdown were scuppered.
It was at one stage expected that the two former world heavyweight champions would fight at Madison Square Garden in New York on 20 November. However, as Joshua's contract stipulates that their bout must take place in the United Kingdom, his insistence on that point means it could now be coming to Wales.
Cardiff's advantages
The national stadium's retractable roof improves its chances of being chosen. Catering to an American audience would see the headline fight start in the early hours of a Saturday morning.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh and broadcaster Netflix are keen for the fight to be held in the United States. Yet Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, maintains it should be staged on British soil, citing a contractual clause that supports his position.
Wembley's setback
The highly anticipated heavyweight contest has become embroiled in disputes over its location. Last week, Hearn threatened legal proceedings against TKO Group Holdings — the parent company of Dana White's UFC and Zuffa Boxing — for attempting to 'lure' Joshua to the US.
Wembley's prospects of staging the fight were dashed by Alalshikh's demand for a 2am start time. The national stadium's curfew is only extendable to 1am. This has pushed Cardiff back into the frame, with the Principality Stadium having bid for the fixture in July.
Welsh boxing heritage
"We'd be delighted to host this fight," a spokesperson for Welsh Rugby Union, which own the stadium, told Sky Sports at the time. "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 iconic Cardiff venue previously welcomed Joshua's victory over Carlos Takam in 2017, drawing a crowd of 78,000. AJ returned to fight Joseph Parker at the same location the following year.
Although primarily renowned as a rugby venue, the Principality Stadium boasts a distinguished boxing heritage. Most notably when Welsh legend Joe Calzaghe faced Mikkel Kessler there in 2007. The Welsh capital also made sporting history when it staged the Lennox Lewis vs Frank Bruno bout at the former National Stadium back in 1993.
