ANTHONY JOSHUA looks set for a mammoth showdown with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in April 2017 provided he beats Eric Molina this weekend.
The unbeaten Londoner defends his IBF world heavyweight title against the unfancied American at the Manchester Arena, where Klitschko will be ringside.
Both Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente have confirmed to Boxing News that a deal for the fight is in place, with just a few minor details to iron out.
“We just have a few small little things – not even problems – just small details to sort out but everything is in place,” Boente told Boxing News.
“We’ve had very constructive talks for a while now. Wladimir will be in Manchester at the weekend and provided Anthony wins, we are ready.”
The vacant WBA world title will also be on the line when Joshua and Klitschko meet, a stipulation the Ukrainian was adamant on.
April 29 is the planned date for the heavyweight mega-fight, and Wembley Stadium is the first choice for all involved, though other stadiums in the UK have also been considered.
“We’re in talks with Wembley [Stadium], it’s going well,” Boente continued. “Obviously nothing is officially done until Anthony wins. Aside from Wembley there is also the [Principality] Stadium in Cardiff, another option. But Wembley is first choice, it’s the most famous stadium in the world.”
Beonte will join Klitschko in Manchester this weekend and the former long-reigning division leader will attend the Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur football match the day after Joshua fights Molina.
Klitschko was potentially going to be Joshua’s opponent on December 10, but the WBA’s decision on their title came too late plus there was not enough time to promote a fight of that magnitude. Now, there could potentially be a crowd of 80,000 – rivalving the number that attended Carl Froch’s rematch with George Groves in 2014 – watching.
