Nigeria bids to host Joshua showdown

Nigeria is bidding to host Anthony Joshua’s next fight as the World champion bids to unify the heavyweight division titles.
According to frontline boxing promoter, John Wirt, Nigeria must beat the United Kingdom, Las Vegas, Turkey and Saudi Arabia in order to host the epic battle in the country.
Wirt said: “We feel that we are very close. Indeed this is backed up by the parties extending the negotiating period to January 31.
“Things got pushed back due to the holidays and vacations and the resulting delays in obtaining the information we need from the various sites to be able to compare offers. But things have been moving very quickly the last couple of weeks and we hope to be able to formally announce something by the end of the month.
“We’ve had bids from the UK, Las Vegas, New York, Nigeria, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The favoured destination is the one that will be the most profitable.”
Joshua often visits Nigeria, the nation of his parents, and bringing a big fight to Africa has long been an ambition of his.
Kubrat Pulev meanwhile recently indicated the showdown would go to Turkey.
Joshua is also open to a mouth-watering all-British clash with Tyson Fury at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Asked on the prospect of facing the Gypsy King, Joshua said: “The doors are open. I’m wishing him well in February.
“Imagine having that fight, at Tottenham? That would be phenomenal.
“I’m supporting Fury [against Wilder] because imagine the local kids being able to watch the undisputed championship fight on their doorstep. I’d love it to be here in the UK.”
Joshua has admitted previously he would be prepared to forfeit one of his titles to a mandatory challenger if there were bigger fights to be made.
None come much bigger than Fury, though Joshua is seen to be more keen to step into the ring with Wilder in the near future.
On the topic of Wilder’s upcoming clash with Fury, Joshua said: “Everyone wants Wilder to win because (a fight with me) is what everyone wants to see. Wilder has a great right hand, I have a great left hand. It is a great boxing match.
“We had a meeting about that. It has great potential. I heard (Wilder and Fury) have a third fight lined up towards the end of the year but we have to throw a curveball in there.
“Something that gets Wilder’s attention providing he wins so that he thinks to himself: ‘Even though I have a rematch clause, I’ll see how I can manipulate my contract, get out of it, and fight for the undisputed championship.’”