Eddie Hearn : AJ to go abroad next, Wilder to follow

18 days from today, the unified IBF, WBA (Super) and IBO World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua will make the fourth defence of his crown against the Bulgarian, Kubrat Pulev in Cardiff. But plans are being put in place beyond that fight by the head of Matchroom Boxing and Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn for the man amassing a captivated following at a rapidly increasing rate.

Speaking to The Mirror, when pressed on potential locations for Anthony Joshua’s next outing, Eddie Hearn said Maybe Las Vegas, maybe the Middle East. Hearn has previously spoken about Joshua’s marketability on many occasions and had voiced his intention to see Joshua attempt to explore other avenues in the boxing market and not only restrict himself to the British public and both Las Vegas and the Middle East offer lucrative avenues for Joshua to capitalise on his stardom and Las Vegas, in particular, represents a significant business move too as it would increase Joshua’s level of exposure and profile in the USA.

Then the heavyweight matchup that has excited all inside boxing came to the forefront again, the matter of the highly anticipated clash between one-punch knockout artists; the Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder World Heavyweight Championship unification. On that matter, Hearn said it will come once both champions deal with outstanding obligations first “next fight after that (fight abroad) will be a unification — and I want the Wilder fight. It’s all there for Anthony, and he just has to keep winning. But first, let’s deal with the Pulev fight”.