The heavyweight title bout between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko may be dead in the water, but there have been suggestions that England’s other world heavyweight champion could take on the Ukrainian.
And it seems these are more than just rumours, with promoter Eddie Hearn confirming he has reached out to the Klitschko camp over a potential October match-up with Anthony Joshua.
Joshua claimed the IBF world heavyweight belt after it was vacated by Fury late last year, beating Charles Martin at the O2 Arena in London before launching a successful defence against Dominic Breazale at the same venue in June.
His next fight was due to take place on November 26, with New Zealander Joe Parker among the potential challengers, but no opponent has been named and Hearn has put out feelers to see whether a Klitschko-Joshua bout could happen.
According to Hearn’s comments on Betfred TV, the pair would meet on November 26 rather than on October 29, when Klitschko’s fight with Fury was scheduled to take place.
Klitschko would represent the biggest challenge of Joshua’s career so far, with the Watford fighter’s record currently sitting at 17 professional fights and 17 wins via knockout.
The 6ft 6in. veteran, whose career record stands at 64-4, had gone more than a decade without tasting defeat when Fury – more than 10 years his junior – beat him on points in Dusseldorf last November.
Exclusive @EddieHearn says on Betfred TV that Anthony Joshua v Klitschko could be a possibility in Manchester on 26th Nov
— Betfred (@Betfred) September 24, 2016
Fury withdrew from the rematch last night on unspecified medical grounds, the second time he has been forced to postpone the bout.
A statement from Hennessy Sports reads:
‘Medical specialists have advised that the condition is too severe to allow him to participate in the rematch and that he will require treatment before going back into the ring.
‘Tyson will now immediately undergo the treatment he needs to make a full recovery.’
