Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko: World heavyweight showdown edging closer, says Eddie Hearn
Promoter Eddie Hearn says Josh can fill the void if Fury is stripped of his titles and denied rematch with Ukrainian
EDDIE HEARN admits a fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko is edging closer.
Klitschko, 40, was due to face WBA Super and WBO world heavyweight champ Tyson Fury in Manchester on October 29.
But with their rescheduled rematch scrapped and Fury set to be stripped of his titles, Hearn is keen for the Ukrainian to collide with IBF king Joshua instead.
AJ's promoter said: "Our plan is to fight Klitschko for all the belts. It's 60-40, something like that.
"Klitschko wants the fight, Joshua wants the fight, so that's a good sign. I'm confident. I think it's THE fight to make, I really do.
"It's the kind of fight we expected next summer and is one or two fights before plan, but it's here and it's available. Joshua's so relaxed, he'll fight anyone.
"It's a huge fight. I think it's going to be the biggest fight in British boxing history. You've heard me say that a lot over the last two or three years, but this one definitely is.
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Joshua, 26, is scheduled to make the second defence of his IBF title at the Manchester Arena on November 26.
Hearn had planned to announce an opponent before now, with mandatory challenger Joseph Parker in the driving seat to be in the opposite corner.
But Fury's troubles outside the ring opened the door for a potential unification showdown with Klitschko.
Hearn added: “The first objective is to make the fight with Klitschko. The decision from the governing bodies on the belts will come after that.
“We’ve not got a deal yet, but there’s definitely a desire from both sides to make the fight happen.
"For me the issue is not if another belt is on the line, it’s how many. Financially, it’s the biggest fight out there for each of them.”