The Principality Stadium in Cardiff has been named as a possible venue for the proposed boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev.
Joshua had been set for a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, who the Englishman beat in a fight at London’s Wembley Stadium in April, and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, US, was mooted as the likely venue for the fight.
However, after Ukrainian Klitschko this week announced his retirement from the sport, this leaves Pulev next in line to fight WBA, IBO and IBF heavyweight champion Joshua.
Speaking yesterday (Thursday) after Klitschko confirmed he would be stepping back from the sport, Kalle Sauerland, the promoter for Bulgarian Pulev, said he is keen for the bout to take place at the Principality Stadium, despite the Welsh venue offering something of a ‘home’ advantage to Englishman Joshua.
According to Sky Sports, Sauerland said he expects to secure a deal within “the next couple of weeks”.
“What a great venue that would be for the UK fans,” Sauerland said. “have been there for football matches and it’s got a great boxing past with Calzaghe-Kessler there, but if it is the venue – what a sensational venue that would be.
“Vegas is the fight capital of the world and at the moment if you look at the hype around Anthony, I think Eddie and Barry [Hearn] will be looking to take him over to America at some stage.
“I think you could do that with any fight, whether it’s a Ukrainian or a Bulgarian, I don’t think there was a US-angle as such to that fight before, so it’s definitely still an option.”
Sauerland added: “I love the UK, I love the atmosphere. I like Vegas, I like to go there and enjoy fights and I’ve promoted some good fights over the years there, but at the end of the day, I think the UK has got a very special atmosphere going at the moment.”
Image: Seth Whales
Share this