Fury vs Joshua set for 11 December in Cardiff

After more than a decade of anticipation, Britain's two biggest heavyweight boxing names will finally face each other. Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will fight on 11 December at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, with the bout broadcast globally on Netflix.

BBC Sport understands the main event could begin in the early hours of Saturday morning UK time, as organisers weigh a late start to accommodate audiences in the United States.

The two boxers will appear together for the first time at a news conference in London on Wednesday, 30 September, marking the start of the promotional build-up. Joshua, 36, posted on Instagram that he is "inspiring a generation," while Fury has not yet commented on the announcement.

The event is being promoted jointly by Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh, representing The Ring, and UFC president Dana White. Alalshikh described it as set to become one of the biggest fights in boxing history.

A long road to a deal

Both former two-time world champions had already signed contracts for the bout earlier this year, but the date and venue remained unconfirmed until now. London's Wembley Stadium and New York's Madison Square Garden had been early frontrunners to host the fight, but both venues presented complications, allowing Cardiff to emerge as an alternative recently.

The Principality Stadium has previously staged late-night boxing, including Joe Calzaghe's 2007 bout against Mikkel Kessler, which started at 01:00 GMT.

Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Council officials welcomed the announcement, saying it would strengthen the city's reputation for hosting major events and could deliver a significant economic boost, though some operational details are still being finalised.

Joshua had pushed for the fight to be staged in the UK, and his promoter Eddie Hearn said fans' support had made that possible. White noted the two fighters bring a combined 66 wins and 52 knockouts into the fight, and that the winner would take a significant place in heavyweight history. Neither Hearn nor Fury's promoter Frank Warren issued an official statement in Netflix's announcement.