Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko II ‘is happening’

 A rematch between WBA ‘super’ heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko “is happening” according to promoter Eddie Hearn.

World heavyweight boxing is alive and well. In April, two of boxing’s best heavyweights collided in a back and forth barn burner that saw both fighters hitting the canvas in front of 90,000 fans at Wembly Stadium in London, England. In the end, it was Britain’s own rising star Anthony Joshua who defeated former heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Klitschko by TKO in the 11th round after landing a devastating uppercut to become the new WBA ‘super’ and IBF heavyweight champion.

With a rematch clause in place, it was assumed Klitschko would take the chance to redeem himself against the young Olympic gold medalist immediately. Joshua however, had different plans in mind. While speaking to the Hindustan Times in May, AJ offered some advice to the former heavyweight champ.

"“I’m not Wladimir, and I do not know what he wants, but if he listened to me, I would say: ‘Friend, it was an amazing performance, you were very good, but you did not win. So leave on a positive note and let the other guys take your place’.”"

Offers and possibilities for potential bouts are not falling short for the newly crowned champion. Recently, Anthony met former pound-for-pound boxing kingpin Floyd Mayweather and offered his services as the co-main event to Floyd’s possible match-up vs. UFC’s two division champ Conor McGregor. A possible opponent could have been UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic who also entertained the idea of boxing Joshua.

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder also called out Joshua on Twitter in an attempt to unify the titles and having one world undisputed champion.

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And finally, Kubrat Pulev is the IBF mandatory challenger to AJ’s IBF title and would need to defend the belt if demanded. As of now, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the rematch “is happening” when speaking with Sky Sports on Monday.

"“I feel like it’s Wladimir Klitschko. People keep saying is there a deadline? The situation is the fight is happening unless we are told otherwise by Bernd Boente and Wladimir Klitschko, who have a meeting this week. So many offers this week – Nigeria, Dubai, America, and also we have the opportunity of Cardiff here in the UK.” Hearn said."

If the Klitschko rematch does materialize, Eddie Hearn also mentioned who will fight AJ next.

Whoever his next opponent is or where ever Anthony Joshua will fight next, one thing’s for sure, heavyweight boxing is back!