Hearn: Klitschko-Dependant, Joshua Fight Date Could Change

By Elliot Foster

Eddie Hearn has admitted that the date of Anthony Joshua’s next fight could change.

The IBF heavyweight world champion, 26, is slated to return on November 26, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, at Manchester Arena.

But Matchroom chief Hearn, who looks after Joshua, has said that there is a possibility of the date being moved, along with the venue, depending on the opponent.

Joseph Parker, the 24-year-old New Zealander who is 21-0 with 18 early, is currently Joshua’s mandatory and it was thought that he would be in the opposite corner when the Finchley puncher stepped through the ropes again.

However, the waters were muddied slightly after Wladimir Klitschko, the Ukrainian former kingpin who has a 64-4 (53 KOs) ledger, was contacted following the withdrawal of Tyson Fury from their contractually obliged rematch which was set for October 29 at Manchester Arena.

No deal has yet been agreed with Klitschko, although Hearn has briefed that negotiations are ongoing to try to make the fight happen.

The hope is that the WBO and WBA will strip Tyson Fury of the belts, leaving them vacant and able to be contested in a potential clash between ‘AJ’ and ‘Dr Steelhammer’.

And Hearn told iFL TV: “[The fight with Klitschko] is definitely the fight we want next, so I’m going to do everything I can to make it happen.

“A lot of things have got to fall into place, because people have got to come up with certain things.

“It’s a very complicated process when you’re dealing with a fight of this magnitude but mentally I believe both Joshua and Klitschko have it in their head that that’s their next fight, which is quite important, but anything can happen.”

Former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne and Bulgaria’s current EBU king Kubrat Pulev were on the shortlist to face Joshua, the London 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist, in his second defence.

But it now appears that there is just a two-shortlist, with those two men being Klitschko and Parker, who is currently sitting at number one with the WBO and has earmarked their title as a potential route to the top.

Boxing Scene understands that talks between Parker and Andy Ruiz are ongoing regarding a potential fight for the world title, if it becomes vacant, on December 10 in New Zealand.

“I can’t tell you how difficult it is to get these things over the line,” Hearn continued, “and get things over the line quickly.

“That’s the problem we’re faced with here. We haven’t got three weeks to iron this out. Do we look to go in December with this show? If we fight Klitschko, that’s a real possibility because it’s seven weeks until the fight on Saturday and I want enough time to give this the right promotion and the right preparation for Anthony Joshua.

“I still think there’s a good chance it could happen, but anything could happen.”

With London’s O2 Arena booked up for November 26, Manchester Arena is the “preferred option” for the fight, but there are other options available, according to Hearn, but they are not “necessarily ones we’ll use.”

On the potential date change, Hearn said: “If it’s [the fight is against Wladimir Klitschko] it could be [December] 3 or 10.

“If it’s not Klitschko, it’ll stay as November 26 [at Manchester Arena].”

Further details will be revealed in due course.