Anthony Joshua will build his 'mad' popularity on a trip to the US, says promoter Eddie Hearn

By Richard Damerell & Michael Bridge

Eddie Hearn admits there will be 'no turning back' for Anthony Joshua if he defeats Wladimir Klitschko with more world title fights on the horizon in 2017

Anthony Joshua will fly out to America to increase interest in a planned US debut before he begins training for the Wladimir Klitschko fight next month.

The IBF heavyweight champion will end a holiday in Dubai this week and heads to America the following weekend with promoter Eddie Hearn, who is keen to boost the growing interest in a future fight with WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

Joshua signed a multi-fight deal with American television network Showtime last May and could set up a potential unification clash with Wilder on US soil, if he successfully defeats Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Image: The IBF champion will battle Klitschko at a sold-out Wembley Stadium on April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office

"He's in Dubai at the moment, he comes back at the end of this week, and then we're going to go to an event in America on the 29th of January," Hearn told Sky Sports.

"Then we do a press conference for Joshua-Klitschko on the 31st and then he flies back straight into camp for February 1st, so all under way."

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Hearn has revealed how he is keen to stage Joshua-Wilder before the end of the year, but is fully aware of the threat posed by Klitschko.

Anything can happen, but I love the Deontay Wilder fight. The Americans are starting to go mad for Anthony Joshua.
Eddie Hearn

"I would like him to fight Wilder," said Hearn. "You never know what is going to happen in boxing. AJ and Klitschko could have a 10, 11, 12 round war, do you do that again, or fight Wilder? Do you fight the Haye-Bellew winner?

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"Anything can happen, but I love the Deontay Wilder fight. The Americans are starting to go mad for Anthony Joshua. They were all talking about him last week.

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"Wilder against Joshua can be built into a huge fight. Two undefeated, fast, big-punching heavyweights. But I think at the moment, the pure focus, because of the toughness of the fight, has to be Wladimir Klitschko.

"You come through and it's no turning back, it's big fights only."

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