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Anthony Joshua\u2019s next fight could take place behind closed doors as the world heavyweight champion\u2019s promoter Eddie Hearn said: \u201cYou can\u2019t afford to sit and wait for what might be.\u201d<\/p>\nAnthony Joshua\u2019s next fight could take place behind closed doors as the world heavyweight champion\u2019s promoter Eddie Hearn said: \u201cYou can\u2019t afford to sit and wait for what might be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua, who drew in the biggest post-war British boxing crowd of 90,000 for his win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley three years ago, had been due to face Kubrat Pulev in June at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.<\/p>\n
That plan was scuppered by the coronavirus pandemic and it is understood December 12 at the O2 Arena has been penciled in for Joshua to defend his WBA, IBF and WBO titles against his mandatory challenger.<\/p>\n
The ongoing public health crisis and a national spike in cases recently means the government\u2019s initial plan to gradually allow spectators to return to sporting events from October 1 is currently under review.<\/p>\n
However, as Joshua\u2019s most recent fight was last December, when he regained his world titles by avenging his defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in Saudi Arabia, it seems his date with Pulev will not be postponed again.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnthony hasn\u2019t boxed for a year and the ultimate thing is he needs to progress his career,\u201d Hearn told BBC Radio 5 Live. \u201cHe wants to learn, he wants to fight, he wants to be active and we live in a world now where you can\u2019t wait.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got two options: you either sit and wait \u2013 and that includes Anthony Joshua \u2013 maybe until next year, or you get out there and you fight, you earn your money, you learn your craft and you continue to battle through it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that there is some sunshine over the hill with this whole nightmare.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not prepared to sit tight and wait and we have said in these schedules, fans or no fans, our fights will be taking place.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re a business, if you\u2019re a sport, you can\u2019t afford to sit and wait for what might be.\u201d<\/p>\n