Camp Nou, home of Spanish LaLiga football giant Barcelona, has been suggested as a possible venue for the mooted boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker.
Talks over world heavyweight title unification fight between the pair are ongoing and Parker’s promoter David Higgins has said that the 99,354-capacity stadium would be suitable to stage the bout.
Joshua’s promoter Barry Hearn had previously said the fight may only warrant a smaller venue, such as the 20,000-seater O2 Arena in London. However, Hearn has since conceded that a unification fight would require a larger venue, with the likes of Twickenham Stadium in London or the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff put forward as possible locations.
Higgins said this could be taken a step further and believes the fight could attract enough interest to fill the Camp Nou in Barcelona. Much like Joshua’s recent fight at Wembley Stadium in London, the boxing ring would be placed in the middle of the pitch, with fans able to sit in the stands and on seats around the ring.
Speaking to Stuff.co.nz, Higgins said: “If it was held in Barcelona I reckon it would sell out. Why not approach it very strategically and almost tender the fight out like they do Formula One?
“Time-wise it has to fit with English TV. But anywhere in Europe would be a goer and I reckon the fight would sell out any stadium in Europe.”
Although the fight is yet to be confirmed, Higgins has backed recent comments by Hearn that a deal “is close”.
Higgins said: “It would be silly for me to go up there and be trapped in England under pressure to close a deal that he won’t do. But we are close.
“We will speak again on the phone and if Edward shows a willingness to move a bit, then I reckon it’s worth me going up to London. If that’s the case I might go up sooner rather than later.”
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