Residents in Cardiff Push Back Against Late-Night Boxing Plans

Residents of Cardiff are worried about plans to extend licensing hours for the upcoming heavyweight boxing match between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. They fear noise, anti-social behaviour, traffic jams, and public safety issues. This concern was reported by the BBC on Wednesday.

The big fight will happen at the Principality Stadium on December 11, and the event is expected to go on until 3am on December 12. This is to cater to the prime-time TV audience in the United States.

However, the stadium's request to keep its doors open later has upset people living nearby. The Cardiff Council’s licensing subcommittee will look at the application on November 25.

The proposal asks for permission to sell alcohol and play music until 3:00am, while the venue would remain open until 3:30am. Right now, the stadium closes at 1:00am when its roof is shut.

One resident living right across from the stadium supports the fight but wants extra measures to protect nearby residents. In a message to the council, the resident said, "My representation relates to the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder."

The resident asked for a plan to manage crowds on the streets, with stewards staying until the area is clear. The message also called for no loud outdoor music after midnight and to finish cleaning the streets by 8:00am on December 12.

Three other residents have also asked the council to turn down the application. They raised worries about how the event could affect the neighbourhood. One objector warned that noise could last long after the fight.

"Music, amplified sound, large crowds, shouting, vehicles, taxis and people leaving the stadium can all result in disturbance continuing well into the early morning," the resident wrote.

Another resident with small children said the late-night event could disturb families living near the stadium. This person said the situation would "cause absolute chaos for those of us living right next to it."

They added that activities like "shouting and singing" in the early hours could "completely wake the whole house up and leave us with exhausted, stressed children."

On the other hand, some residents are for the licensing extension, saying the fight could help Cardiff's economy. One supporter claimed the event would bring a "significant economic boost" to city businesses, while another said it might draw tourists, especially from the United States.

The Fury-Joshua fight is seen as one of the biggest heavyweight matches in British boxing history. Other venues, like Madison Square Garden in New York, were considered for the fight.

Wembley Stadium in London was also discussed, with Mayor Sadiq Khan urging promoters to think about the capital. But its strict 11:00pm event curfew made it hard to fit the US broadcast schedule.

Cardiff has hosted major boxing events at odd hours before to meet American TV needs. In 2007, Joe Calzaghe's fight against Mikkel Kessler at the Principality Stadium started at 2:00am local time to fit American broadcaster Showtime's schedule.

The current licensing application was submitted under the Licensing Act 2003, which allows for a 28-day consultation period. During this time, the public can submit comments for or against the proposed changes.

The council’s licensing subcommittee must look at the objections and can change the existing license conditions or reject all or part of the application. The decision will decide if the stadium can stay open late into the early hours of December 12.