A rematch between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir
Klitschko could take place at Cardiff’s Principality
Stadium in October.
Joshua knocked out Klitschko to add the WBA
world heavyweight title to his IBF crown at Wembley
Stadium in April.
As Wales’ rugby team will play at the Principality
Stadium for most of November and December, 28 October could be a potential date for the bout.
“Talks are ongoing over venues,” said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua’s thrilling knockout win over Klitschko was watched by a post-war record crowd of 90,000 at Wembley.
Staging a rematch outdoor could be difficult in the
autumn but the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium’s retractable roof – the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom – could make it a viable option.
Hearn has said he believes a Klitschko rematch “will go ahead” even it casts doubt over whether Joshua can retain his IBF title.
The IBF has named Kubrat Pulev as a mandatory
challenger and says a battle with the Bulgarian must be next on the agenda for Joshua.
As such, the IBF appears obliged to strip Joshua
should he opt for a return fight with Klitschko, but Hearn has indicated he will put in a mandatory exception request to the IBF.
Martyn Phillips, the chief executive of the Principality Stadium and Welsh Rugby Union, has previously said the governing body is “in conversations with various boxing promoters”.
Speedway, rugby league, football and boxing have
all taken centre stage there and Phillips says talks are continuing with NFL chiefs over the possibility of hosting American Football.
If Joshua were to fight at the Principality Stadium, it
would be the fourth time Wales’ national stadium has staged boxing.
Welsh legend Joe Calzaghe beat Mikkel Kessler in front of an estimated 50,000 fans at what was then named the Millennium Stadium in November, 2007.
Calzaghe also headlined a bill against Peter Manfredo Jr in April, 2007.
However, the first major show at the stadium did not feature a Welsh fighter in the main event, with
heavyweights Danny Williams and Matt Skelton headlining a bill that also featured Amir Khan.
