IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) is hopeful of landing a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko and taking the fight to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Back in April, before a crowd of 90,000 fans at Wembley, Joshua defeated Klitschko after climbing off the canvas to stop the Ukrainian in the 11th round in what has been called the most exciting heavyweight fight in recent years.
There was a rematch clause in the contact, but Klitschko has yet to officially exercise that option.
Joshua says Klitschko still needs some persuading to take the rematch. Because of a pending mandatory obligation, Joshua had to apply with the IBF to get permission to take part in the Klitschko rematch. The sanctioning body approved his request, but gave him until December 2 to get the fight done. Right now the ball is in Klitschko's court. Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, are trying to do everything possible to get Klitschko back in the ring for what would be a highly anticipated second fight. “The last fight put the expectations on a pedestal but it was entertainment. We can’t fight too many fights like that but regarding who I’m fighting, I’ve got two options," Joshua told Sky Sports. “One is a rematch with Klitschko, and we’re waiting to see, and we’re trying to dangle a few carrots to make him bite and spark his interest again. The man has achieved great things throughout his career so it takes a lot for him to get motivated and interested again.” Joshua said the second option is to defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev if Klitchsko decides to hang up his gloves. He added, “When you have a belt, there’s mandatory positions you have to face and one of them is Kubrat Pulev, a very talented Bulgarian fighter.”
2023-10-18 21:25:16
