100,000! AJ TO SET WEMBLEY RECORD
ANTHONY JOSHUA has signed a deal for his next two fights to be at Wembley Stadium — with plans in place for a British record 100,000 crowd in April if Deontay Wilder agrees to a unification showdown. The first date of September 22 will see Joshua defend his IBF, WBA and WBO world titles in front of 90,000 fans against WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin — a fight that will be formally announced next week. The agreement with Wembley will then see Joshua (right) return on April 13, though talks with WBC champion Wilder are at a standstill. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is still waiting on Wilder’s team to return their comments on a contract that was sent to the US a fortnight ago. If that stand-off can be resolved, Hearn revealed to Sportsmail that discussions are under way to enable a capacity in excess of 100,000, which would eclipse the British record of 90,000 set by Joshua’s clash with Wladimir Klitschko at the same stadium last year. He told Sportsmail: ‘The plan is Povetkin on the 22nd and then Wilder on the 13th if he gets around to signing the contract. co We are looking forward fo to two great nights of boxing, with 90,000 at Wembley in September Se and plans for a capacity of more than 100,000 for April.’ Joshua, whose past two fights have been in Cardiff, said: ‘I am returning to Wembley after two mega fights in Cardiff. I want to thank the supporters from Wales and Great Britain and also the people of London for patiently awaiting my return.’