Looks like it might be time to start getting properly excited.
When promoter Eddie Hearn announced last week that he had reached out to Wladimir Klitschko’s team over a potential heavyweight superfight with Anthony Joshua, there was a sense that we shouldn’t get too carried away just yet.
The Ukrainian had just learned that he would not be facing Tyson Fury in Manchester – the second time that fight had been postponed – and there was no indication that he would be keen to prepare for a very different British opponent at such short notice.
But fresh comments from Hearn suggest that – while a deal is yet to be agreed –Â both fighters are keen on the match-up.
Leigh Dawney/Getty Images
“I’m confident this fight will happen, and will happen in 2016,” Hearn told Talksport.
“Anthony Joshua wants the fight, Wladimir Klitschko appears to want the fight, and that’s half the battle.
“Now it’s a case of getting the right deal. I think we’re close, and if we can tie everything up next week, end of next week, I think there’s a real chance you’ll see it.”
When asked whether he anticipated the fight being sanctioned by the relevant governing bodies, Hearn suggested “an immediate yes” would be on the cards.
Joshua has held the IBF world heavyweight belt since April, when he ended Charles Martin’s undefeated record to claim the belt vacated when Fury opted for a rematch against Klitschko.
He defended his title against Dominic Breazeale in June, securing a 17th knockout from 17 fights, and is pencilled in for a title defence at the Manchester Arena on November 26.
Klitschko had held the IBF world heavyweight title for a record 3,507 days, before losing out to Fury last year.
Catch up with the latest episode of Football Friday Live right here…
