Fury-Joshua Performance Rejected
Financier Turki Alalshikh claims Dua Lipa rejected an offer to perform at the Fury-Joshua fight.
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Key Points
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The launch event announced December 11 as the date of the fight.
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One account says Alalshikh also suggested Lipa’s refusal might reflect anti-Arab sentiment; it reported no evidence for that claim and noted criticism that the remark was irrelevant to the sports event.
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Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, had repeatedly advocated for the bout to be held in Britain and thanked the local boxing community at the press conference.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua's heavyweight super-fight will take place December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, not London or New York, after event financier Turki Alalshikh said London couldn't provide a suitable venue in time. Sky Sports reported that the all-British matchup has no rematch clause. At the launch press conference, Alalshikh claimed singer Dua Lipa turned down a performance offer, though the claim remains unconfirmed and Lipa has not responded publicly.
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that Boxing News 24 reports Joshua accepted a pay cut of at least £10 million to keep the fight in Britain. Hearn praised the local boxing community for making Cardiff work, calling it the ideal location for this decade-long dream matchup between the two former world champions.
Why Cardiff Won Out Over London
London could not provide the Principality Stadium or a suitable alternative at the right time, Alalshikh explained. Hosting the bout in London would have cost roughly $70 million — too expensive for the budget. Cardiff offered a practical solution: keep the all-British fight in the UK without the massive London overhead.
Joshua Takes Major Pay Cut for Dream Fight
Anthony Joshua sacrificed significant earnings to make the Fury matchup happen. Boxing News 24 reported Joshua accepted at least a £10 million pay cut. Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, has long pushed for the bout to stay in Britain. At the press conference, Hearn thanked the local boxing community for supporting the Cardiff venue.
Alalshikh's Disputed Claim About Dua Lipa
During the launch event, Alalshikh claimed Dua Lipa declined to perform at the fight. He suggested she disliked boxing and implied other reasons for her refusal. The claim has no independent verification, and Lipa has made no public statement about it. Critics noted the remark seemed irrelevant to the sporting event itself.
No Second Chance: Fight Has No Rematch Clause
Sky Sports confirmed the Fury-Joshua agreement contains no rematch clause — meaning the loser gets no automatic path to a revenge bout. This differs from many major title fights and leaves the winner with full control over next steps. The structure reflects the high stakes and finality both fighters face on December 11.
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