Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are set to earn career-high paydays when they finally meet in their long-awaited heavyweight showdown. The British rivals will face each other on Friday, December 11, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.The fight has taken years to come together after multiple failed negotiations and delays. Financial backing from Netflix and Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh has helped make the blockbuster clash possible. The event is reportedly worth around £150 million ($198m), while the exact purse split between the two heavyweights has not been publicly confirmed.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua ready for biggest paydays of their careers
Frank Warren believes the financial rewards for Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are too significant for either fighter to turn down. The veteran promoter said both men will receive enormous purses for the Battle of Britain.“We nearly did it a couple of times and it just didn’t happen for various reasons. This time round, I thought we’d done it, then with some of the personalities, and what was going on with them and so forth and where it’s going to go on, I sort of had a little couple of hesitations whether it’d happen. But when you look at the money these fellas are getting paid, I mean, it’s phenomenal money”, he told SunSport.“If they didn’t do it, they’d be crazy. I mean, it’s huge, huge purses. I mean, massive money. Highest of their highest of their careers, I should think it’s the highest of any British fighter’s career, ever”, he added.The fight was initially at risk because of disagreements over its location. Netflix reportedly wanted the event to take place in the United States, with Madison Square Garden in New York among the options.However, Joshua’s contract reportedly required the bout to be staged in the UK. Warren eventually helped secure Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, which can hold around 70,000 spectators.There have also been discussions about UFC chief Dana White being involved. Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has reportedly been keen on bringing White into the event, while the issue has remained part of the negotiations.Another major talking point is the fight’s start time. Organisers are reportedly considering a late ring walk in the UK to accommodate viewers in the United States.Warren defended the decision to consider a later start time. He pointed to the global nature of major sporting events.“Look at the World Cup just gone. Some of those matches, what time were they on at night from America? We’re a global village now, so you’ve got to try and hopefully accommodate everybody. I think he’ll knock him out. Styles make fights. They’re older fighters, I think Tyson’s worn better than AJ”, he said.Warren has also backed Fury to win the long-awaited heavyweight clash. The promoter believes Fury’s style, durability and experience could give him the advantage.