Joshua: Eddie Hearn hails Anthony Joshua as Britain's biggest sports star after Wembley Stadium win
Thursday 29 April 2021 10:27, UK
Anthony Joshua is the UK's biggest sports star after his Wembey Stadium win, says Eddie Hearn.
Joshua stopped former world heavyweight No 1, Wladimir Klitschko, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 90,000.
Hearn revealed that unification fights with Deontay Wilder (WBC) and Joseph Parker (WBO) are on his list and also believes a "motivated" Klitschko could trigger the rematch clause in the contract.
He has cemented himself as the No 1 sports star in the UK.
The promoter is not expecting any decision to be made for a "couple of weeks" but does believe Joshua, a Sky Ambassador, has now overtaken the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Andy Murray to become British sport's biggest name.
"It's gone mad," Hearn told Sky Sports News HQ.
"For all the international broadcasters that were covering the event, it's great to see the British media having boxing on the front and back pages of the papers.
"It was just an event I don't think anyone will ever forget.
"It's one thing selling out an arena and break records but to deliver a fight like that is gold dust, and he has cemented himself as the No 1 sports star in the UK.
"I also believe he is the biggest boxing star worldwide."
Joshua's sensational 11th-round stoppage was only the third fight in history to be screened on Showtime and HBO over in America, and WBA 'super' and IBF champion is likely to fight across the Atlantic down the line.
Fight Night
But Hearn also made it clear that a second fight with Klitschko cannot be ruled out.
"He [Klitschko] felt like he boxed well and maybe he thinks there is still life in the tank and maybe he thinks he should've got Joshua out of there in the fifth or sixth.
"Maybe he will be motivated by that, to try and get the rematch so 'Klitschko II' is definitely in play, as is Wilder, as is Parker."
