Fury v Joshua: Sheffield boxing legend remembers his own Cardiff showdown

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are expected to finally go head-to-head in Cardiff

It's the long-awaited fight between Britain’s two biggest heavyweight stars, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 8: Gary Lockett (R) throws a right cross during the WBU Middleweight title fight against Ryan Rhodes at The Millennium Stadium on July 8, 2006 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images) | 2006 Getty Images

placeholder image — CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 8: Gary Lockett (R) throws a right cross during the WBU Middleweight title fight against Ryan Rhodes at The Millennium Stadium on July 8, 2006 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images) | 2006 Getty Images

Cardiff's Principality Stadium will host the historic showdown, as long as protracted negotiations don't break down.

Sheffield's Ryan Rhodes would love to be one of the spectators for the event on December 11 - even though in one way it is a case of 'been there, done that' in his own illustrious ring career.

CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 8: Gary Lockett (L) almost drops his opponent during the WBU Middleweight title fight against Ryan Rhodes at The Millennium Stadium on July 8, 2006 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images) | 2006 Getty Images

Twenty years ago this year he was on the bill at the first major boxing show at the then-Millennium Stadium, in a card that also featured a young Amir Khan.

Rhodes didn't get the purse Fury and AJ can expect - they will receive more than any British boxer has previously earned for a single fight according to Tyson's promoter Frank Warren.

There was no Netflix to stream it, back in July 2006.

Nor did Rhodes get the result.

But memories of that night trading punches with Welshman Gary Lockett for the World Boxing Union middleweight title are engraved in his mind.

"Joe Calzaghe had pulled out of the show the week before, so we moved up to chief support for the headliner, Danny Williams v Matt Skelton" the Sheffield manager and promoter, now aged 49, recalled.

"It was a hell of an experience, there must have been 25-30,000 tickets sold - if I had any hairs on the back of my neck they would have been standing up during the ring walk!"

CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 8: Gary Lockett (L) is caught by a left jab during the WBU Middleweight title fight against Ryan Rhodes at The Millennium Stadium on July 8, 2006 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images) | 2006 Getty Images

There was a hostile home crowd but Ryan, who had trainer Dave Coldwell in his corner that night, said: "I wasn't intimidated, just really buzzing and excited.

"I had known Gary from the amateurs for many years but we hadn't boxed previously.

"I put him down heavily around round 10 but I couldn't finish him and he'd got me earlier with a flash knockdown.

"In the end he won on points and we have been friends ever since."

Asked initially who he felt would win December's multi-million pound veteran showdown he said: "I'm not that bothered, really; it is five or six years too late.

"But it will still be one of the biggest spectacles in British boxing history and will sell out in record time.

"I tried to see if there were any hotels available in Cardiff, but not a chance. Airbnb apartments that normally go for £300 a night are going for £3,000. It's mental."

Who does he think will win? "I think it will be AJ, for some reason. I think he'll have his number."

And will he be envious of the big night? "Nah, been there, done it!"