The rematch between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko is still missing a venue and an official ‘yes’ from The Ukrainian.
Promoter Eddie Hearn recently revealed that Cardiff, Nigeria, and other planned venues are losing more ground as Las Vegas becomes the frontrunner to host the fight. From the looks of things, Joshua and Klitschko will most likely fight in Vegas.
“I have been in talks with Bernd Boente [Klitscko’s promoter] and the team. We’re getting close now to identifying the real options in terms of venues and locations. Vegas has taken a little bit of a frontrunner in those,” said Hearn in an interview with Sky Sports.
It’s believed that Klitschko will only take the rematch if the venue is just right for his liking. Meaning Cardiff and other previously mentioned places are definitely not heavy favourites.
“Vegas has probably got its nose in front at the moment. I think in the next week, we’re looking to present all those opportunities to Wladimir Klitschko and his team. Speaking to Bernd Boente this morning, I feel like it’s going to take that special event to make this fight,” the promoter explained.
That being said, Hearn still wants to keep the fight in Britain but that’s not looking possible. Joshua wants to make a bigger name for himself and the fight capital of the world is just the place to do so.
“I would like to keep it in Britain. The fans have been incredible to Anthony Joshua, but if it means travelling to make sure this fight happens for world boxing, and it means taking a few plane loads to Las Vegas for a night and an experience they won’t forget. Anthony Joshua is the world heavyweight champion, he’s not the British heavyweight champion. He wants to break boundaries and so do we.”
Negotiations are still on-going and Hearn expects that a deal will be reached in the coming weeks.
“Yes, I would say the next couple of weeks, we’ll be looking to make a decision in terms of the venue and location,” summarised Hearn.