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Cardiff or bust: Why Principality Stadium could save Fury-Joshua
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua's long-awaited super-bout still has a few hurdles to clear - not least their warm-up bouts.
The former faces Mariusz Wach next week in Thailand, before the latter tangles with Kristian Prenga a day later in Jeddah.
Success is far from a foregone conclusion, of course - but it would take an almighty upset for neither man to take the win.
In theory, that should lay the path to confirmation of their own clash. Yet the saga of their eventual host venue rumbles on.
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Originally expected to be at Wembley Stadium, conflicting reports have suggested a move overseas in the past few months.
Driven by a desire to secure a bumper primetime audience in America, talk has suggested a 2am ringwalk in north London.
That notion, for a November fight, seems fanciful at best, and could suggest Fury-Joshua will head abroad - but does it have to?
Cardiff's Principality Stadium has thrown its hat into the ring - and DAZN News feels it could prove to be the saving grace too.
Why is Fury-Joshua facing issues?
Having been expected to take place in the United Kingdom, demands for a global audience have thrown a spanner in the works.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh wants to ensure Fury-Joshua pulls the biggest audience it can for viewership across the world.
Mark Robinson/Getty Images
That has led to plans for a show that, if still held on British soil, would have to take place late to capture a stateside crowd instead.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has stated on multiple occasions that the contract signed by Joshua ensured a United Kingdom host.
But with so many bodies needed to hold a curfew-breaking event in London, Wembley Stadium's hopes appear up in the air at best.
How does Cardiff play into all this?
Naturally, given Fury-Joshua is the biggest domestic bout for a generation, there is no local appetite to see it taken to another country.
This is where Cardiff figures. The city is home to the Principality Stadium, the United Kingdom's fourth-biggest ground by footfall numbers.
Opened in 1999, the 73,931-capacity venue is owned by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and is home to their national team fixtures.
But more pertinently, it is also one of the few British stadiums with a retractable roof design, allowing it protection from autumn elements.
That could prove highly appealing to both teams. Joshua has fought twice there, against Carlos Takam in 2017 and Joseph Parker in 2018.
Is Cardiff likely to keep Fury-Joshua in the UK?
This is something of a wrinkle. In theory, and with the WRU happy to play host, Fury-Joshua has a ready-made destination for action.
PA
But Wales have successive Nations Championship games at home across a likely November date, potentially creating further headaches.
Then there is the fact that any bout would still likely need to take place in the small hours, requiring permission from local authorities to host.
There is also a school of thought that the whole debate over Wembley is effectively a front to take the bout overseas irrespective of decisions.
It's shaping up to be a fascinating few weeks as powerbrokers seek to hash out terms ahead of a likely announcement. Cardiff will hold its breath.
Joshua vs. Prenga - exclusively on DAZN PPV
Watch Anthony Joshua's hugely anticipated return to the ring versus Kristian Prenga on Saturday, July 25 only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Itauma vs. Hrgovic and Canelo vs. Mbilli PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
