Hearn Confident Joshua Vs Klitschko Can Be Made

Eddie Hearn, the promoter of IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, is hopeful that a blockbuster PPV showdown with former titleholder Wladimir Klitschko can be made for November 26.

Joseph Parker,21-0-(18), who destroyed Alexander Dimitrenko last weekend, is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’a IBF crown but with the Klitschko Vs Tyson Fury rematch being scrapped recently, has left the door open for a possible Joshua vs Klitschko showdown. Furthermore, there is every chance that Fury could be stripped of his WBA and WBO crowns and with Parker ranked WBO No.1, means he could have a choice of belts to fight for.

Nothing has been officially decided as of yet but Hearn believes there is a good chance a Joshua vs Klitschko could be made soon.

Speaking to Sky Sports Hearn said: "Percentage wise, I think it’s 60-40 yes, something like that. Klitschko wants the fight, AJ wants the fight. That’s always a great sign.

"For Klitschko, sometimes it’s not necessarily about the money. It’s little things of principle. He’s made plenty of money and half a million to him doesn’t mean a row of beans but something in the contract might be very important to him away from home.

"I’m confident and I think it’s the fight to make. Boxing is all about timing. Charles Martin came up and it was before our time. Now we’ve got Klitschko before Joshua’s time. It’s one or two fights before the plan but it’s here and available.

Hearn added: "I always say to Joshua: ’You’ll tell me. If you can beat Klitschko then we’ve got to take the fight.’ He says to make the fight. He’s so relaxed and will fight anyone. It’s a huge fight and it’s going to be the biggest fight in British boxing history, I think."

Regarding the IBF mandatory fight against Hearn told Sky Sports "Parker is No 1 in the IBF and No 1 in the WBO. Obviously, we’ve had some great chats with their team and it’s a fight that can be made but I don’t know whether they’ll be thinking to fight Joshua for the IBF or waiting to see what happens with the WBO.

"Will they fight Andy Ruiz? Maybe Wladimir Klitschko is talking to them as well. Our priority at the moment is to fight Klitschko for all the belts. Once we get a deal in place, which I’m confident of, then it’s a case of going to the governing bodies and asking if they want it for their world title. I would think most would say ’yes please.’

"Parker has an interesting proposition. Does he hang tight? Does he wait? Does he take the fight with Joshua if we don’t fight Klitschko?."

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October 2 2016