Anthony Joshua beat Wladimir Klitschko in April.Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
IBF and WBA heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is “pencilled in” for a rematch against Wladimir Klitschko on November 11 in Las Vegas.
Joshua knocked Klitschko out in a heavyweight thriller in April and the boxers are close to agreeing another clash.
Joshua is technically obliged to fight his IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, but the IBF approved a request from Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn to allow Joshua and Klitschko to contest a rematch first.
After a business trip to the US this month, Hearn secured a Nevada State promoter’s license so he can operate in Las Vegas. He also figured out a date for the rematch.
“November 11 is pencilled in,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “We’ve got a couple of weeks to get everything over the line.”
Eddie Hearn (right) represents Anthony Joshua.Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
The two arenas competing for the event are the 16,800 capacity MGM Grand Garden Arena and the 20,000 capacity T-Mobile Arena.
“I believe Wladimir Klitschko is going to take this fight and I really think Vegas will be the one,” Hearn said.
“The arenas are fantastic. The amount of British fans that will travel will be an event, an occasion that I think we’d savour for a long time. Fingers crossed it’s a party in Las Vegas on November 11.”