Joshua agrees November rematch with heavyweight rival Klitschko in Vegas

Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title rematch is all systems go for Las Vegas on November 11.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has applied successfully to stage the mega-bucks spectacular in Nevada.

The new hi-tech T-Mobile Arena has been reserved provisionally under the auspices of the MGM Grand group, which is helping bank-roll the eight-figure purses for the two fighters with a massive site fee.

Hearn says: ‘The venue and the date are the preferred options, with T-Mobile and November 11 pencilled in.’

That translates into virtual confirmation that the second edition of the epic battle between Joshua and the iconic former world champion Klitschko is on.

The details have been in place for a fortnight, awaiting only the 41-year-old Klitschko’s commitment to carrying on in the ring, which has been his triggering of the rematch clause.

A farewell fight in Vegas, the fight capital of the world, is believed to have clinched his agreement.

Joshua’s willingness to go again has never been in doubt.

He is looking to expand his marketability into America. Thus he has been in Vegas in the past week looking at the venue and setting up the facility to train at Floyd Mayweather’s fabled gym, while working out there.

He is also expected to be at ringside for Mayweather’s billion-dollar boxing cross-match against UFC martial artist Conor McGregor in August.

So powerful is that lure that I understand Klitschko has turned down a bonus payment in excess of two million dollars to fight under the Principality Stadium roof in Cardiff, a less-glamorous option in many minds which would also have given Joshua home crowd advantage as huge as that which rescued him from impending defeat in London earlier this year.

Win or lose, this is likely to be Klitschko’s last fight and a source close to his camp says: ‘If this is to be the end of his fantastic career he wants to go out in style in Vegas.’