IBF world heavyweight title holder Anthony Joshua believes a fight between him and former unified ruler Wladimir Klitschko later this year would be a matchup that all boxing fans would want to see take place, as both camps push to make it happen.
A date has been pencilled for December 10th in London for the fight to take place, but It appears at the moment before anything can be confirmed, the advisors behind both boxers are waiting for a decision from the governing bodies with regards to Tyson Fury’s current situation, and if the Mancunian’s belts will be stripped from him and put up for grabs in the Joshua-Klitschko fight.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said this week he is now 70 per cent sure the fight will happen, and Joshua, 26, who claimed his IBF strap after stopping Charles Martin in April, and then made his first defence against Dominic Breazeale in June, admits a contest against the Ukrainian would be on a different level.
“It would be amazing for boxing in general, British boxing, for the people who have wanted to see a genuine step up in class, a heavyweight fight with a former champion and a current champion is a fight that definitely ticks all the boxes at this present time that box that will get people’s hairs off their skin.” said Joshua.
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“It’s an interesting fight. It’s definitely one people have got interested in just by mentioning it. I think there’s a few fights the world of boxing wants. There’s a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes. We’re dealing with a legendary sportsman in Klitschko and a current champion so there’s egos on the table.
“We’ve got to put that aside and hopefully we can definitely get this deal done. Eddie does a good job and he’s a fantastic promoter. I’ve got to look at my team, my team are guiding me and they’ve got to be happy with everything as well.
“I’m confident Eddie’s sending over the right messages and getting the right things in place for this fight to take place.”
November 26th had been touted as a possible date for the fight to take place originally, although December 10th now looks like the preferred date. Klitschko had been due to face Tyson Fury in a rematch of their fight last year but it has been cancelled after Fury was declared ‘medically unfit’ to fight.
“I’m hoping for November because it has been mentioned. There’s been people booking hotels and changing schedules around.” added Joshua.
“If it means that we push it back another two weeks to December, it’s no problem with me because the fight will come, the fight will go. As long as the fight happens, it will be one I’ll be happy about.
“You have to do a lot of learning in the gym, of course, but when I fight someone like Klitschko, I have to make sure everything I’ve learned over the years comes into play.
“I have to use stuff I’ve learned on the night. I can’t go in there thinking because I’m a heavyweight I can go out there and out-strengthen and out-power Klitschko. He’s a tactician. “
The December 10th show, could also see the return of David Haye on the undercard.
Joshua on Tyson Fury
Joshua currently holds the IBF heavyweight belt that was stripped from Fury last year and a heavyweight super-fight between the two British champions was mooted. But after Fury tested positive recently for cocaine, which has seen his titles and career thrown into jeopardy, it is un-clear what Fury’s future holds. But Joshua backed his fellow Brit and said he expects to see Fury back fighting again in the future.
“I am sure we will see Tyson Fury back in the ring again.” Joshua said.
“Tyson is a fighting man, a real talent and he is good for boxing in his own way. I really hope to see him getting back to what he does best.
“It’s too easy to point the finger because none of us really know what he is going through.
“What I do know is he is a fighter and all fighters eventually come back.”
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