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| Photo Credit — Anthony Joshua |
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are finally set to meet in the ring on 11 December at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The long-awaited all-British heavyweight clash has been confirmed and is being promoted with involvement from Turki Alalshikh’s The Ring and Dana White, with global broadcast on Netflix. One of the biggest talking points is the reported financial package.
According to reports in The Sun, the combined purse is expected to reach around £150 million (roughly $198–200 million in other coverage), with Joshua and Fury set to split it equally. That would give each fighter a reported £75 million payday—the largest single-fight purse of Joshua’s career to date and potentially the richest fight in British boxing history. thesun.co.uk
These figures remain unofficial and subject to the usual caveats of boxing reporting (side deals, sponsorships, and final accounting can alter net amounts). Still, the reported numbers would surpass previous career-high estimates for both men, often cited in the region of £65 million for a single contest.
Background: Why this fight is finally happening
Joshua and Fury first sparred years ago and have circled each other for more than a decade. A proposed two-fight series in 2021 collapsed when Fury had to honour contractual obligations against Deontay Wilder. Both men later faced Oleksandr Usyk (who defeated each twice), and the pair have taken different paths since. Recent warm-up wins and renewed negotiations led to contracts earlier in 2026, with the venue becoming a late sticking point.
Joshua and his team insisted on a British location, citing the original terms and a desire to repay the UK scene that launched his career. New York’s Madison Square Garden was discussed, and reports suggested a US venue could have produced an even larger overall package. Joshua rejected that route.
In comments to SunSport, he emphasised his roots: British boxing “gave me everything; it changed my life,” referencing his time at Finchley ABC, Team GB in Sheffield, and coaches who worked without big money involved. He concluded it was “the UK or nothing.”
Cardiff’s Principality Stadium (which has hosted Joshua before) emerged as the practical choice. It has a roof, capacity for a major event, and can accommodate a late start (expected in the early hours of Saturday morning UK time) to suit US audiences on Netflix.
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What the reported £75 million means in context
If the equal-split reports hold, this would mark a significant jump over both fighters’ previous peak single-fight earnings. The absence of a rematch clause has also been noted in coverage, raising the possibility that the bout could serve as a late-career statement or even a farewell for one or both men (Joshua is 36, Fury 38). Neither currently holds the major world titles, so the contest is framed around legacy, national rivalry, and commercial draw rather than championship belts in most reporting.
Additional revenue streams—ticket sales at a large stadium, sponsorships, and the Netflix platform—help explain the high overall valuation even without an undisputed title on the line. Exact breakdowns (guaranteed purses versus shares of other revenue) have not been publicly detailed by the promoters.
Key points to watch
• Date and venue: Friday 11 December 2026 at Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Main event timing is expected late to serve North American viewers.
• Broadcast: Netflix (global).
• Purse reports: Combined ~£150 million with equal shares cited by The Sun; other outlets have referenced similar $200 million-scale packages.
• No rematch clause: Reported in some coverage.
• Press conference: Scheduled in London around 30 September as build-up begins.
Boxing purses are often estimates until after the event, and figures can shift. Always treat them as reported rather than confirmed official totals. For the latest official statements, follow announcements from the promoters, the fighters’ teams, and primary sources such as The Sun or major outlets that first detailed the package.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers news, politics, current affairs, education, and technology.
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