JOSHUA FIGHT FOR CAPITAL?

CARDIFF’S Principality Stadium has emerged as the most likely venue for Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev this autumn.

Yesterday’s news that former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko has retired from the sport has forced a swift rethink to Joshua’s schedule.

Joshua’s scheduled rematch with the 41-year-old Ukrainian had been pencilled in for Las Vegas in November, but Klitchsko’s announcement now means Joshua’s next fight against mandatory challenger Pulev is expected to be confirmed within the coming week.

Joshua’s promoter Matchroom had the necessary logistics in place for Klitschko to simply sign for a date of November 11 at the T-Mobile Arena, so any fight with Bulgaria’s Pulev is similarly straightforward.

Vegas does remain an option but Matchroom is now believed to be favouring Cardiff.

If that is the case it means Joshua could even begin his training camp as soon as Saturday. His preference is to train for 12 weeks in the buildup to a fight, even if the first two are not quite as intense, and Saturday represents 12 weeks from October 28, the likely new date.

“We need to sort out the final details but the venues don’t change. It will still be Vegas or Cardiff, with Cardiff probably the frontrunner,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

Asked about the Bulgarian, the 27-year-old Joshua responded: “Pulev’s a good fight. Look how [aggressively] he came to fight Klitschko [in a five-round stoppage defeat in 2014].

“He came with his heart on his sleeve. It may not be the fan favourite fight, but it’s one we need to get through to get to better things.”