Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that discussions have been held for Anthony Joshua to fight at Kinshasa’s Stade Tata Raphaël, the site for the famous Rumble in the Jungle fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
The venue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo capital staged the iconic fight on October 30, 1974.
Hearn told 5 Live Boxing that plans are being lined up to redevelop the 50,000-seat stadium and the promoter sees the venue as an ideal location for a future Joshua fight.
“It’s probably the most famous venue, or fight, of all time,” Hearn said. “The DRC is looking to regenerate the stadium. That’s special, that’s legacy. That’s career defining.”
Hearn added: “There have been meetings held about that. It’s pie in the sky at the moment but the approach is there and it’s something we’ll have to look at.
“He (Joshua) wants to create a legacy in the sport. When you look at the resumé, he’s boxed everywhere you can in the UK, at Madison Square Garden, Saudi Arabia. To put Africa, China and the Far East on the resumé, that’s when you get to global star status. He has no interest in that but he wants to create history.”
Joshua’s next fight is likely to be in the UK and Hearn has previously hinted that the world heavyweight champion could box at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium.
Joshua defeated Andy Ruiz Jr at the purpose-built Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia last month to reclaim his WBA, WBO and IBF titles. Joshua had lost to Ruiz at New York’s Madison Square Garden earlier in the year.
Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, London Stadium, Twickenham and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium were also mentioned as possible venues for Joshua’s next fight, which Hearn is hopeful would take place in May or June.
Image: quapan
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