A fight 10 years in the making, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will finally lock horns at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday 11th December.
The announcement from Saudi Arabian bankroller Turki Alalshikh on Thursday afternoon followed months of discussions among promoters, with the location of the fight seemingly the main stumbling block in negotiations.
Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn was at the forefront of a push to have the fight held in the UK amid suggestions that Las Vegas would host the all-English encounter, and he has succeeded in his mission.
While Hearn and Zuffa Boxing's Dana White are likely to go back and forth concerning their involvement in the fight, the British boxing public have received the showdown they've been craving for some years.
But will there be a title on the line when the Gypsy King and AJ take to the ring in December? Read on to find out.
Is there a title on the line for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua?
The vacant WBA "Super" heavyweight title is set to be on the line when Fury and Joshua clash in Cardiff on 11th December.
Murat Gassiev currently holds the WBA heavyweight title, defeating Kubrat Pulev to clinch the strap in December 2025 and overcoming Peter Kadiru via TKO to retain the belt in July 2026.
He is listed as champion in the WBA's latest rankings, with Jarrell Miller ranked number one and Fury and Joshua second and third respectively.
The placement of Fury and Joshua in the rankings has sparked debate as to why the two will lock horns for a more prestigious WBA "Super" champion status.
Gassiev’s co-promoter Ivaylo Gotzev demanded answers when learning of the WBA's decision. He said: “Murat Gassiev is the reigning WBA heavyweight world champion. He won his championship in the ring, has defended it and has fulfilled his responsibilities as champion.
“If a new super champion is now to be designated above the existing world champion, then there must be absolute clarity about how that decision is consistent with the WBA’s rules, rankings and championship structure.”
Remarkably, if the 'super' title is up for grabs for the eagerly anticipated all-British war, it will be the first time that the belt has been on the line in a heavyweight bout between two non-beltholders.
