Eddie Hearn reveals Anthony Joshua will face Kubrat Pulev IF Wladimir Klitschko retires as the promoter reveals talks with five possible venues… and none of them are Wembley
ANTHONY JOSHUA’S 11th-round stoppage of Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko left the Watford boxer with the IBF, WBA and IBO world heavyweight titles and some massive problems.
Joshua, 27, has mandatory issues with Kubrat Pulev for the IBF and Luis Ortiz for the WBA titles, not to mention a possible contractual rematch with Klitschko should the Ukrainian decided to fight again.
Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko’s bout on April 29 was a riproaring success as the Brit beat his Ukrainian opponent in front of a sell-out WembleySplash News
Both Kubrat Pulev and Luis Ortiz are waiting for the call to face Joshua next for the IBF and WBA titles as each heavyweight are the number one mandatory challengers.
Klitschko is currently on holiday with his family taking some time out thinking about his future. It’s been reported that Wladimir will be making a decision on the rematch early June.
Should Klitschko retire, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has said IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev WILL be next.
Hearn said: “If Klitschko comes back and says he doesn’t want a rematch then we will fight Pulev next, unquestionably.”
Hearn said he has spoken with the manager of Klitschko, Bernd Boente, and he said Wladimir will be back from his holiday and with a decision in two weeks.
Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev will be Anthony Joshua’s mandatory next opponent if Wladimir Klitschko decides not to fight him againGetty ImagesKubrat Pulev challenged for the unified world heavyweight title in 2014Getty Images
But as of this moment, Hearn will be making plans with a rematch in mind.
Hearn said: “Bernd said he (Klitschko) will have two weeks with his family and then he will make his mind up.
“I am looking at options now for the rematch while we wait on Klitschko because you have to have an idea on dates and possibilities.”
Hearn is looking at possible venues for the rematch such as the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, the MGM Grand Las Vegas and venues in China, Dubai and Qatar for the Klitschko rematch.
He added: “We are talking to China, we are talking to Dubai and Qatar, we are talking to America and the Principality Stadium.
Anthony Joshua celebrates after knocking down Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley StadiumSplash News
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The advantage of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is that they can close the roofPA:Press AssociationThe Bird’s Nest in Beijing could be a potential venue in China if they do decide to take the fight thereGetty ImagesThe MGM Grand in Las Vegas is one of the most well-used boxing venues in the worldGetty ImagesLuiz Ortiz could also be a potential challenger for JoshuaGetty ImagesLuiz Ortiz of Cuba in action against David AllenGetty Images
“Wladimir might say, ‘What’s the money?’ and obviously if there is huge money from another country he is going to want the rematch more.
“It would have to be an incredible deal to go to another country. We should know where we are going by the end of June.”
Bulgarian heavyweight Pulev is next in line for a shot at Joshua’s IBF crown but he could be persuaded to wait longer should the Klitschko rematch go ahead.
He added: “We could try to get an exemption from the IBF which may be granted, may not.
“I’ve been talking to Pulev’s promoter Kalle Sauerland, who we know quite well.
“If we fight Klitschko again, we get that exception from the IBF or we try to do a deal with Pulev?
“But we have to fight Pulev at some stage. If Joshua doesn’t fight Pulev next he will fight Pulev after Klitschko.”
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