Concerns have been raised by residents over plans for next month’s eagerly awaited Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua fight in Cardiff to run into the early hours of the morning.
The all-British heavyweight fight is due to take place at Principality Stadium on 11 December, with the event expected to finish at 03:00 GMT the following day to align with prime-time viewing in the United States.
But as part of the stadium’s application to extend licensing hours, Cardiff Council has received objections related to concerns about anti-social behaviour, noise, traffic and public safety.
The council’s licensing subcommittee will meet to discuss the proposals on 25 November.
The stadium operates a curfew until 01:00 when the roof is closed but has requested permission for licensed activities, including the sale of alcohol and the playing of music, to continue until 03:00 on 12 December, with the venue remaining open until 03:30.
The Principality Stadium is in Cardiff city centre, which is part of its attraction, but there are also residential properties nearby.
A resident who lives directly opposite the stadium wrote to the council saying they supported the event taking place, but called for extra conditions to be put in place “to protect residents living immediately around the stadium”.
“My representation relates to the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder,” the resident wrote.
Three others also wrote to the council, calling for the application to be rejected, with one arguing the “noise and late-night disturbance” would not come to an end when the event finishes.
“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 young children said the event running into the early hours of the morning would “cause absolute chaos for those of us living right next to it”.
The person said issues such as “shouting and singing” early in the morning would “completely wake the whole house up and leave us with exhausted, stressed children”.
Others wrote in support of the licensing conditions being granted, with one saying they believed the event would bring a “significant economic boost” to businesses in the city.
One of the most eagerly awaited bouts in recent boxing history, numerous venues were put forward when the fight was proposed, including New York’s Madison Square Garden.
However, focus shifted to the UK after Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn refused to budge on their contractual right to stage the fight on British soil.
Wembley Stadium was touted as a potential venue – with London Mayor Sadiq Khan urging promoters to get in touch – but its strict 23:00 event curfew proved an issue given Netflix’s preference to broadcast during prime time hours in the US.
