World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua considers staging his next fight in Nigeria

WORLD heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua may get to realise his long-held dream of defending his title in Nigeria after promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that it is possible that the planned rematch with Vladimir Klitschko could take place in Lagos.

In April this year, Joshua beat Klitschko in a dazzling bout at Wembley Stadium in London but the contract they signed involved a possible rematch should the loser demand it. Joshua, whose father comes from Sagamu in Ogun State,  is getting prepared for the fight which will take place at one of several venues currently being considered.

Klitschko will meet manager Bernd Boente this week and is expected to agree another fight with Joshua, who holds the WBA and IBF titles. It is expected that they will then discuss a possible venue with Mr Hearn and agree on one of those currently on their shortlist.

Mr Hearn said: "The situation is the fight is happening unless we are told otherwise by Bernd Boente and Vladimir Klitschko, who have a meeting this week. So many offers this week from  Nigeria, Dubai and America and also we have the opportunity of Cardiff here in the UK."

“Over the next two weeks we are going to look at all those opportunities and sift out the ones that are real and the ones that make sense and look at where the fight will be. However, in our minds moving forward, it’s Vladimir Klitschko next.”

Kubrat Pulev remains the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s IBF belt and Mr Hearn expects a decision from the governing body this week about whether a rematch with Klitschko can take place first. He added that they should will get a full decision on that this week, which will determining of Joshua will fight Pulev before Klitschko or the other way round.