By Tim Parsons-
Eddie Hearn believes he has secured November 11 for a rematch with Wladmir Klitschko, after months of discussions and negotiations.
The one issue is that Joshua has not agreed to the rematch yet. Hearn has already made an application for a Nevada promotion licence for the fight.
Joshua knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round last April, after being dropped earlier in the sixth and nearly stopped by the former reigning world champion. Ever since that fight, Hearns has worked tirelessly to try and secure a rematch which would generate huge money, but Klitschko has been taking his time in considering it.
Joshua wants to beat Klitschko convincingly next time round, but is risking getting knocked out this time as Hearns pushes for the fight. Klitschko who reigned for 11 years unbeaten, has lost his last fights, after being beaten by Tyson Fury in November 2015. A third straight defeat will be too much for him, which is why he is considering it very carefully.
Hearns and Joshua are mentally ready for the fight, whilst Klitchko is still thinking about it. A rematch in Las Vegas will be widely watched in America, but a rematch between the pair is dangerous for both of them. Optimistic Hearns, who has been in communication with Klitschko’s team for much of the build up to a rematch that is still uncertain, tool a big chance in matching his man with Klitschko the first time and it paid off. The promoter is now working on taking another chance.
If Klitschko declines the fight, Joshua will have to face IBF mandatory challenger, Kubrat Pulev, who has been waiting for a while to have his shot at the world heavyweight title. Pulev was meant to be fighting Joshua after the Londoner beat Klitschko, but a rematch clause between Joshua and Klitschko- which the IBF have already admitted was an illegal contract- led to talks of a rematch being planned , after Pulev was silenced with a private agreement.
The IBF eventually granted the rematch after Joshua requested for an exception to the rules, which was already broken when he and Klitschko agreed a rematch in the clause of their contract before their first fight.
Hearns has said he believes an anouncement is ”imminent”, so the general belief is that very high financial figures will lure Klitschko into the rematch to stage what will be expected to be a very good fight.