Why Fury vs Joshua Will Happen in Cardiff and Dua Lipa’s Unexpected Role
Fury vs Joshua: Why Cardiff Was Chosen Over London
Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in organizing the much-anticipated fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, revealed some surprising reasons behind selecting Cardiff's Principality Stadium as the venue. The British heavyweight showdown will not take place in London, as many expected, but rather in Wales.
Alalshikh explained that London was unable to meet his requirements for the event schedule. He claimed that the stadium in London would not be available until 2am, which was unacceptable for the fight's timing. In contrast, Cardiff offered a more suitable arrangement while keeping the match within the UK.
Dua Lipa’s Unexpected Mention
During his explanation, Alalshikh also brought up Dua Lipa, the pop star. He said she refused to perform at the event because she allegedly dislikes boxing and maybe even holds some personal dislike towards him. This unexpected comment has stirred some buzz, though neither Dua Lipa nor her representatives have responded publicly yet.
"I will be honest today, I know that London wouldn't give me the stadium until 2am, and I know that Dua Lipa will not perform in the stadium, because she doesn't like boxing, and maybe she doesn't like me," said Alalshikh.
Financial Factors Behind the Choice
Alalshikh pointed out the financial risks involved with hosting the fight in the UK. He suggested that staging it in Britain could lead to losses approaching $70 million (£52.8 million). Choosing Cardiff helped manage these costs better while still offering a prime location.
"Put yourself in my shoes; there's a situation to lose $70 million (£52.8m); the best is to have it in a good time zone," he added.
Support from Anthony Joshua’s Team
Anthony Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has been vocal about keeping the fight in Britain and expressed gratitude to the local boxing community for making it happen. At the press conference, Hearn acknowledged previous disagreements with Alalshikh but promised the fight would be memorable.
"I'm excited," said Hearn. "Turki, I know we've fallen out, but I promise you this'll be the greatest night you've ever had in boxing.""This guy (Joshua) has changed boxing in this country. So has Tyson Fury. We are the envy of the boxing world. We can't stage it anywhere else. Thank you to the British public for putting the pressure on. We couldn't do it, we failed."
The Stage Is Set in Cardiff
With the venue now confirmed, both fighters can focus on their upcoming bout, which promises to be a landmark event in boxing. Meanwhile, Dua Lipa's name remains linked to the event in an unexpected way, caught up in the pre-fight conversations.
- Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Fight: Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua
- Reason for venue choice: London stadium availability and financial considerations
- Dua Lipa’s role: Alleged refusal to perform due to dislike of boxing
- Financial risk: Potential loss of around $70 million (£52.8m) if staged elsewhere in the UK
- Promoter comments: Eddie Hearn emphasized the importance of the fight happening in Britain
