NORTH LONDON rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are both in the mix to host Anthony Joshua’s next heavyweight world title defence.
Joshua, 30, regained his unified belts 4,000 miles away in Saudi Arabia in December after he exacted revenge on Andy Ruiz Jr.
Anthony Joshua wants to to fight in the UK in his next boutCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Joshua face Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in his next fightCredit: Getty – Contributor
But the Watford star wants a UK homecoming in his next fight, having boxed on the road in his last two bouts, where he suffered a nightmare US debut against underdog Ruiz before the Riyadh rematch.
Joshua is mandated by the IBF to face 38-year-old Kubrat Pulev – who pulled out of a 2017 bout against the Brit with an injury.
Promoter Eddie Hearn is still negotiating terms with Pulev as they eye a stadium fight in Britain – but offers to fight abroad will bring in more cash for the heavyweights.
Hearn explained: “For AJ we’ve established the IBF mandatory was called long before the WBO one.
“Kubrat Pulev is the frontrunner, but of course in this situation Kubrat Pulev is mandatory and is thinking ‘I want as much money as possible for this fight’.
“We want to do the fight in the UK – which is probably the place where there’s the least amount of money for this fight.
“But at the end of May or early June for us, many venues in the mix – Emirates, Spurs, Twickenham we’ve requested, Millennium (Principality) Stadium.
“It’s time to come home. But Pulev’s got to be in agreeance with that and hopefully we get that over the line.
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury will NOT take place in the UK as Saudi Arabia offer twice the money, says promoter Eddie Hearn
“If you asked him where he wants his next fight to be he’d say London, so that’s what we’re going to try and deliver.”
Joshua has also been given a WBO mandatory in Oleksandr Usyk, 33, though Pulev’s IBF challenge has been allowed to take place first.
Ex-cruiserweight king Usyk will instead face Derek Chisora, 36, in March before facing the winner of AJ and Pulev.
Eddie Hearn has held talks before with Arsenal to stage a fight at the EmiratesCredit: EPA
Hearn has interest in staging a fight at Tottenham’s new stadiumCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Home of England rugby, Twickenham, has never hosted a boxing matchCredit: Reuters
Joshua has twice fought at the Principality stadium in WalesCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
