It's looking more and more likely that IBF, WBA, IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) will collide with Wladimir Klitschko in a rematch, on a date in late October.
Last month, before a record crowd of 90,000 at Wembley in London, Joshua had to dig deep by getting off the floor in the sixth round to eventually stop Klitschko in the eleventh round to unify the three belts around his waist.
There is an immediate rematch clause, which Klitschko is going to decide on by the early part of June.
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, believes Klitschko is going to exercise his option for the rematch and the veteran promoter is already exploring potential venues and fight dates.
And Hearn says the rematch could also take place in the United States, China or Dubai.
“I believe Klitschko will go ahead with the rematch so we are looking at dates. The Principality Stadium is not really available in November because of rugby so 28 October is the option. Most of December is available but I don't really want to go that late," Hearn told Declan 'Team Jeff' Taylor.
“Josh has a bit of a sore shoulder, Klitschko has had a tough fight, his face was bashed up. You have got two more weeks in May, all of June and after that they will be thinking 'right let's get back in camp'. Even if you started back in camp in August, then you have September and October so end of October can work.”
"For Cardiff that date is an option and also December but I don't really want to go into December so we are looking at the MGM in Las Vegas, China and Dubai as options too.”
Hearn must also resolve the situation with IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev. The sanctioning body has ordered Joshua to defend against the Bulgarian fighter.
Hearn is in constant contact with Pulev's promoter, Kalle Sauerland, and he believes the situation will be worked out between all of the involved parties.
“We are probably going to put a [mandatory] exception request in to fight Klitschko,” Hearn said. “Then it's up to the IBF whether they grant it.
“One of the things that is important is that if Sauerland object to that - but if Joshua stripped of the title then Pulev would have to fight Carlos Takam for the vacant belt. Sauerland don't want to object. I speak to Kalle Sauerland all the time so I'm confident it will get worked out. We are presuming Klitschko wants the rematch and that is what I believe. I believe he will.”