Joshua Prepares for Two Fights in 90 days

Anthony Joshua has signed a deal for his next two fights.

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.

The unified heavyweight world champion will return on April 13, if Deontay Wilder agrees to a unification showdown.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sportsmail: ‘The plan is Povetkin on the 22nd and then Wilder on the 13th if he gets around to signing the contract.

‘This is where Joshua wants to be and 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.’

If that stand-off can eventually be resolved, Hearn revealed to Sportsmail that discussions are underway 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 stadium in 2017.

Being north London born and raised 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.’

By signing the deal the 28-year-old has fulfilled a promise he pledged to his fans back in March after he added the WBO strap with a points win over Joseph Parker at the Principality Stadium.

Wilder had attempted to goad Joshua into a fight in the US after that victory but the Brit’s stance was that he always wanted to remain on home soil and it now seems the American will have to travel to London for the fight to take place next year.

The deal also means that Joshua will fight at Wembley stadium for the fifth successive time, having defeated Klitschko at Wembley before recording wins against Carlos Takam and Parker at the Principality in his last three outings.