JOSHUA IS EYEING UP 100,000 AT WEMBLEY

ANTHONY JOSHUA has signed a deal for his next two fights to be at Wembley Stadium — with plans in place for a Britishrecord 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 (below) 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 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 ‘The plan is Povetkin on the 22nd and then Wilder on the 13th if he gets around to signing the contract. ‘We are looking forward to two great nights of boxing, with 90,000 at Wembley in September 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. ‘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-a-career opportunity, so to be given the chance to fight there again is amazing. ‘Wembley just added a fourth lion to the den.’ September’s bout will represent Joshua’s first at Wembley since he enjoyed his finest hour against Klitschko, when he dramatically recovered from a heavy knockdown to establish himself as the world’s leading heavyweight. The 28-year-old has since fought twice at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, defeating Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker, the latter in March, when on the undercard Povetkin stopped David Price. Povetkin, 38, has previously fought for all three titles, experiencing his only defeat when being outpointed by Klitschko in October 2013. ‘I don’t think anyone will forget that night of April 29 against Klitschko and we plan to bring two more dramatic events to Wembley Stadium in September and April,’ said Hearn. ‘Images from these “AJ” events make our country the envy of the boxing world and long may it continue.’