Joshua-Klitschko rematch could be held in Nigeria - Hearn

Las Vegas, China, Dubai and Nigeria are the four possible venues for the eagerly-awaited rematch between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko.

The British fighter beat Klitschko in a dramatic contest at Wembley Stadium in April to win the IBF, IBO and WBA heavyweight titles and, according to the Daily Mirror, the Ukrainian is running scared of returning to the United Kingdom for the rematch.

Promoter Barry Hearn had reserved the Principality Stadium in Cardiff for the fight on 28 October but that venue now looks unlikely.

"The next two weeks will settle it," said Hearn. "I believe Klitschko will do it if it’s abroad, but I don’t think he wants to box in Cardiff. I think he feels he’s done that."

Hearn said that Klitschko "enjoyed" fighting in front of 90,000 British fans at Wembley but he would prefer the bout to take place outside Britain.

"He wants it to be a big event," said Hearn. "I don’t think a bit more money makes any difference to him. It could be Vegas, it could be Nigeria. But the logistics are much more straightforward with Vegas."

Klitschko will also be aware that staging the fight outside the UK would also take Joshua outside his comfort zone. The champion has fought all his bouts on home soil since turning pro in 2013, predominantly in England, with one fight in Scotland and one in Wales.