ANTHONY JOSHUA’s mega-fight with Tyson Fury looks set to take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium – with a strange caveat.
The question about where to hold the anticipated bout has been the subject of fierce debate between both camps and the fight’s organisers.
Joshua, 36, was leading the charge to keep the fight in the UK, where fans have been eagerly waiting to see the two leading British names of their generation battle it out.
But it was believed that broadcaster Netflix and Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh were keen to take the fight to the US, with Madison Square Garden believed to be the most likely location.
But now The Times claim that the Principality has emerged as a shocking new front-runner for hosting rights.
They report that a press conference has been provisionally scheduled for next week – but that the deal hinges on approval for an unusual provision.
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The Stadium currently has a 10.30pm curfew on events, but that would have to be temporarily axed in order to allow the fight to run on into the early hours of the morning.
The proposal is said to be with the Welsh government now, with a decision potentially arriving in the next 24 hours.
If granted, the bout could kick off as late as 2am to appease international audiences, with the venue’s 80,000 potential fans having to brave the overnighter to finally enjoy the monster clash.
But it would not be the first time the Principality has made allowances for such clashes, with Welsh hero Joe Calzaghe’s 2007 scrap with Mikkel Kessler starting at 2am as well.
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Outside of Madison Square Garden, Wembley was seen as a top contender, given the top British talents taking to the ring.
But it is believed that the council would be extremely unlikely to budge on the venue’s own 11pm curfew.