Joshua and Klitschko have shown so much respect for each other through the whole build up and during the fight. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
BY Remi Sulola
Anthony Joshua, world heavyweight champion, may defend his IBF, WBA and IBO titles in Nigeria.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn says Lagos is among the options being considered for Joshua’s rematch with Wladimir Klitschko.
At their first meeting in April, Joshua secured an 11th round victory in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, London.
“We’re looking at America, Nigeria, Dubai or Cardiff,” Hearn told Boxing News.
“Cardiff isn’t the frontrunner financially. The money we’re getting offered from other sites is huge, but that comes with problems.
“It’s a new market for us, go and do an event in Lagos sounds great but operationally it’s very difficult. You have to look at money, is it there? Is it secure?
“Financially there’s much better offers than Cardiff but we know the UK is solid, we’ve prepared here before, it’s the same time zone, so we don’t really want to rock the boat.
“We’re looking at all the potential sites for the rematch. It’s not really a case of them having to let us know by a certain date. For us, it’s happening.
“Until [Klitschko] turns round and says ‘no, I’m retiring,’ we’re full steam ahead. At the moment all I can tell you is that it’s happening because we haven’t heard otherwise.”
Klitschko holds the rights for a rematch and will meet his manager Bernd Boente this week to decide on the modalities.
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