Eddie Hearn has hinted that fans will be in attendance for Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Kubrat Pulev with ‘detailed meetings taking place’ over plans for December 12 fight.
Originally, AJ’s promoter had planned for 1000 fans to attend the bout inside the O2 Arena but the second coronavirus lockdown cast doubt over those plans.
The location is now set to be at the SSE Arena in London but there remains some optimism that some supporters will be allowed in.
Hearn was recently asked on Twitter: “Does today’s news mean we’ll have a few fans attending the AJ Pulev fight?”
He responded: “Detailed meetings taking place and we will make an announcement in due course (thumbs up emoji).”
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had announced Gyms and non-essential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen when lockdown ends next month.
Spectators will be allowed to return to some sporting events when the lockdown ends on December 2.
This is hugely positive news for sports fans and clearly, negotiations are moving in the right direction if Hearn’s tweet is anything to go by.
Joshua is defending WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight belts against his mandatory challenger from Bulgaria.
Joshua hasn’t fought since winning his rematch against Andy Ruiz last December.
A loose framework is in place for two bouts with WBC champion Tyson Fury, who confirmed that his December 5 clash with Agit Kabayel has been abandoned amid the legal wrangling with Deontay Wilder over a trilogy fight.
But for that domestic showdown to have the same value, AJ must find a way past Pulev and he would dearly love to do so in front of a live crowd.
