Sports
Fury Vs Joshua Now Fixed For 11 December In Cardiff
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will contest their long-awaited all-British heavyweight fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on 11 December.
The bout, more than a decade in the making, will be broadcast globally on Netflix.
Report says the main event could take place in the early hours of Saturday morning in the UK, with organisers considering a late start to cater for audiences in the United States.
Joshua and Fury will come face-to-face at a news conference in London on Wednesday, 30 September, as the build-up begins to one of the most anticipated fights in British boxing history.
“I am inspiring a generation,” Joshua, 36, posted on Instagram. Fury is yet to comment on the announcement.
The event is being promoted as a collaboration between Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh’s The Ring and UFC chief Dana White.
“Two of the best heavyweights of this generation, finally in the ring together,” Alalshikh said.
“This will be one of the biggest fights in boxing history. I am very happy to make this fight happen for the fans.”
The former two-time world champions had already signed contracts for the bout earlier this year, but the date and venue had yet to be confirmed.
London’s Wembley Stadium and New York’s Madison Square Garden were the frontrunners to stage the fight, but both presented issues before Cardiff recently emerged as an alternative.
The Principality Stadium has hosted late-night boxing before, including Joe Calzaghe’s fight with Mikkel Kessler in November 2007, which began at 01:00 GMT.
Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Council officials welcomed the fight, saying it would reinforce the city’s reputation for staging major events and could bring a significant economic boost, although some operational details still need to be finalised.
Joshua had been pushing for the fight to take place in the UK and has got his wish.
“Forever indebted to the UK public for their support of Anthony Joshua. We couldn’t have got this over the line without you,” his promoter Eddie Hearn said.
It is notable that White, who fronts Zuffa Boxing, is involved in the promotion.
“For more than a decade, boxing fans have been clamouring for the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Together, they bring 66 wins, 52 knockouts and multiple heavyweight world titles into the ring,” White said.
“On December 11, two of the biggest heavyweights of this generation finally collide – and the winner will take a significant place in heavyweight history.”
There was no official statement from Hearn or Fury’s promoter Frank Warren in the official news release sent by Netflix. Hearn had previously said he did not want White to be involved in promoting the fight.
Ibrahima Konate has withdrawn from France’s Nations League squad through injury, with Leny Yoro receiving his first call-up to the senior squad.
Konate felt pain in his right knee during Wednesday’s training session and underwent an MRI.
He has been diagnosed with a minor sprain and released back to Real Madrid, for whom he has made seven appearances in all competitions since moving from Liverpool.
Following his withdrawal, Zidane has called on Manchester United’s Yoro, who had initially been called up to the Under-21s squad.
Yoro is the seventh uncapped player in Zidane’s France squad and will link up with the team to fly to Turkiye on Thursday.
The 20-year-old has had a mixed start to the season with United, making just two starts in all competitions – neither of which came in the Premier League.
He started their Champions League thrashing of Sabah and the EFL Cup loss to Brighton, but has played just 22 minutes in the top-flight, with both of his appearances coming from the bench.
Yoro could make his France debut against Turkiye on Friday, with Les Bleus also set to take on Belgium twice, on either side of their clash with Italy.
Christian Eriksen has left Wolfsburg by mutual consent, just over three months after collapsing during Denmark’s friendly with Ukraine.
The former Manchester United midfielder’s contract with the German second-tier side had been scheduled to run until June 2027.
Eriksen, 34, had previously suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening European Championship group match against Finland in Copenhagen in 2021.
“At the moment, it is important for me to be close to my family in Denmark. I’m pleased that we were able to find a solution together,” Eriksen said.
“My time in Wolfsburg was marked by many highs and lows. I know that the club is now in good hands as it aims to make its way back to the Bundesliga, and I am convinced that a successful future lies ahead.”
Eriksen, who has not played since June, joined Wolfsburg as a free agent a year ago after leaving Manchester United and made 34 appearances for the club.
The 151-cap international has previously played for Ajax, Tottenham, Inter Milan and Brentford.
In a statement, Wolfsburg’s managing director for sport, Dieter Hecking, said: “It was clear that the decision about his future had to be Christian’s.
“We wanted to give him that freedom in this particular situation and have now agreed to his request to terminate the contract.
“Despite his short time here, he has left a lasting impression on his team-mates, our staff and the fans.”
Former Super Eagles defender Ben Iroha has categorically ruled himself out of becoming president of the Nigeria Football Federation, insisting that even if the position were offered to him without a contest, he would turn it down
Iroha’s position comes amid continuing discussions over reforms in Nigerian football and growing calls for former internationals to play more prominent roles in the administration of the game.
But the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner says the NFF presidency is one responsibility he does not want.
“I wouldn’t like to be. If they give it to me for free, I won’t take it. Honestly,” Iroha told PREMIUM TIMES when asked whether he would consider becoming NFF president.
The former left-back stressed that his decision should not be interpreted as an unwillingness to contribute to Nigerian football.
“I always love my country. I will serve my country and do everything I can, but if they give it to me for free, I won’t take it. There are a lot of things I cannot manage,” he explained.
Iroha brings considerable experience from both sides of the game. He represented Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, won the 1994 AFCON and later moved into coaching, including roles with Nigeria’s U-17 team and Nigerian clubs. He has since built a life in Dallas, Texas, where he is also involved in business.
His comments come at a significant moment for the NFF, with FIFA and CAF involved in consultations over the future structure of Nigerian football administration following the recent leadership upheaval.
Iroha believes Nigerian football needs to confront its problems, particularly after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
But while he remains prepared to serve Nigerian football in other capacities, one job is firmly off his list: the NFF presidency.
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