Anthony Joshua will have the final say on the venue for his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr next week, with his promoter Eddie Hearn saying he could opt for a return to Madison Square Garden.
The boxing world is still reeling from Ruiz Jr's massive upset when inflicting a first professional defeat on Joshua, and taking his world heavyweight titles from him in a shock stoppage in New York City.
Joshua's next fight looks set to be an instant rematch in November or December as he looks to put the record straight, and it looks to be a straight choice between a UK stadium and the Big Apple.
- Fury: Joshua is finished
- Warren: Joshua needs a rest
- Joshua shocked by Ruiz Jr
- Rematch Odds: Ruiz 9/4 | Draw 25/1 | Joshua 1/3
Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn is urging his man to return to home comforts, but he suggested that Joshua is keen to go right back to the scene of his demise to fight for redemption.
"In the UK, we're talking to Cardiff, to Wembley, to Tottenham and in America, we've had a couple of approaches, but our preference is Madison Square Garden," Hearn told Sky Sports News.
"A sensible man would say 'Do it in the UK'.
"Anthony feels as though it would be special to rewrite history and get the win at Madison Square Garden. It's really not about the money so much, it's just about where we believe this fight should take place and those decisions will be made in the next week.
🥊 Still coming to terms with this upset!?
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) June 2, 2019
📹 Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr highlights
What next for AJ?#JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/5C9WA9739k
"I can't tell you too much, just because I don't know other than, between November 16 and December 14 will be the date of the fight."
29-year-old Joshua has enjoyed some huge wins in front of huge home audiences over the last few years, but Hearn insists that the man himself will have the final say on where he wants to fight next.
"He's going to make the decision at the end of the day, wherever he wants the fight is where it's going to be," added Hearn. "Right now, there's definitely an element of 'I feel like I should do it there'.
🎙️ "The count is at seven!"
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) June 2, 2019
You have to see it to believe it! 👀
The Sky pundits could not believe their eyes when Anthony Joshua was knocked down by Andy Ruiz Jr in the third round!
Book the repeat of Joshua v Ruiz Jr here: https://t.co/8dhOERDJYq pic.twitter.com/TFVlRw8kxi
"We've seen him in great performances in Wembley and in Cardiff and it would be a special night to do it there, 80,000, 90,000 - it's the biggest fight in boxing in the moment.
"But like I said, he will be the one who calls the final shots, and once we give him all the information, the dates, the possible venues, he'll make a decision.
"Right now, I couldn't tell you what that will be, but I would definitely say it will be between the UK and America."
