Luke Littler has bemoaned the decision to schedule the Anthony Joshua’s blockbusting fight with Tyson Fury on the same evening as the opening night of the World Championship.
The biggest bout in British boxing history has finally been agreed with the two heavyweights going to battle in Cardiff on December 11 – the night that Littler begins the defence of his world title.
The 19-year-old, who is a big boxing fan, will headline the first night of the World Championship at Alexandra Palace following his success at last year’s tournament.
While he may still be able to watch the bout, which is due to take place in the early hours of December 12, he is unlikely to be able to attend it.
And he made his frustration at fight promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn, who are also involved in running the PDC, clear, posting on Instagram: “A message to the Hearns, what is this?
“Opening night of the World Championship (world champion plays on opening night 11th December) and you put one of the biggest fights in Britain on the same night.
“You had one job.”
A heavyweight showdown that has been over a decade in the making will be screened on Netflix at no additional cost to subscribers and take place in the early hours of the Saturday morning, with a time for ring walks yet to be finalised.
Joshua was the first of the rivals to react to the news, stating on Instagram: “The quietest ones often pull the strings.
“Those who appear least involved may hold the greatest control. Let them shout first, the wisest wait until the final move. I am inspiring a generation.”
Joshua’s words were a reference to the repeated taunts he has faced from Fury on social media that included being branded a “coward” while he and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn held out for the bout to be hosted in the UK.
Initially proposed for a November date at Wembley Stadium, attention switched to New York on the 20th of the same month with the aim of securing the largest possible audience in Netflix’s biggest market of America.
Each fighter having separate agreements with Sela, the Saudi state-owned promotional company financing the event, complicated negotiations with their contracts stipulating different locations for their first meeting.
As the process stalled amid Hearn demanding Joshua’s purse be increased to reflect the additional tax paid for boxing in the United States, attention returned to the UK with the 80,000 capacity Principality Stadium’s roof removing any concern over the weather.
Now Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has announced the details have been ironed out for the two foremost British heavyweights of their generation to collide with The Ring and UFC boss Dana White collaborating as promoters.
Alalshikh said: “Two of the best heavyweights of this generation, finally in the ring together.
“This will be one of the biggest fights in boxing history. I’m very happy to make this fight happen for the fans.”
