Anthony Joshua Takes £10 Million Pay Cut to Secure Tyson Fury Fight in UK

Anthony Joshua surrendered over £10 million ($13m) in earnings to stage his December 11 bout against Tyson Fury at the Principality Stadium in Wales.

Anthony Joshua accepted a purse reduction of more than £10 million ($13m) to ensure his heavyweight clash against Tyson Fury takes place in the United Kingdom on December 11. According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Joshua turned down an eight-figure sum to move the event from New York’s Madison Square Garden to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The 80,000-capacity venue was selected primarily for its retractable roof, allowing the event to proceed despite winter weather.

Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi boxing kingpin, noted that shifting the location away from New York resulted in a £53 million ($70m) loss for his side. While Alalshikh initially preferred Wembley Stadium and hoped for a performance by pop star Dua Lipa, London’s strict 11 p.m. curfew rendered the venue unviable. Because the event is tailored for the American market via broadcasters Netflix, ring walks are scheduled for the early hours of Saturday morning.

Dana White and Sela were also involved in the negotiations that eventually moved the fight to Wales. Hearn stated that while he advised Joshua that fighting in the UK provided a competitive edge, the final decision to forfeit the additional revenue rested solely with the fighter. The bout remains backed by Saudi entertainment company Sela despite the change in territory.