Joshua thanks Welsh fans after booking Wembley dates
ANTHONY Joshua has sent a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to his Welsh fans after confirming his next two fights will be staged at Wembley Stadium instead of Cardiff.
The heavyweight king has already set a post-war attendance record at the stadium when 90,000 fans filled Wembley to watch Joshua stop Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round of their stunning battle last April.
The 28-year-old has since filled Principality Stadium in Cardiff twice, defending his belts against Carlos Takam in October before unifying the division by taking Joseph Parker’s WBO belt in March - with the two events in the Welsh capital pulling in over 150,000 fans.
But now the boxing superstar is set for a return to London to defend his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO crowns at the national stadium on September 22 and will return to Wembley on April 13 next year for his 23rd pro fight.
Cardiff had been described as the front-runner for Joshua’s next fights because it is the only large stadium in the UK with a roof.
His frist opponent is yet to be confirmed but is likely to be Russia’s Alexander Povetkin, the WBA’s mandatory challenger. He is then expected to face American WBC world champion Deontay Wilder for all four belts in April.
“I am returning to Wembley after two mega fights in Cardiff,” said Joshua.
“I want to thank the supporters from Wales and Great Britain and also the people of London for patiently awaiting my return.
“Being north London born and raised it is in my blood. The opportunity to fight in such an iconic stadium is normally a once in career opportunity, so to be given the chance to fight there again is amazing.
“Wembley just added a fourth lion to the den.”