Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev could take place on a BOAT, says Eddie Hearn with Croatian coliseum still an option

Anthony Joshua's latest world heavyweight title defence could be held on a boat, according to Eddie Hearn.

Hearn said he was looking at “quirky ideas” to mark Joshua’s return to the ring — provisionally scheduled for November against Kubrat Pulev after the pair’s fight last month at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had to be postponed because of the coronavirus.

The O2 is the frontrunner venue but the promoter told Standard Sport: “Other ideas we have are 1,000 people somewhere strange and quirky. I’ve got a few things up my sleeve. We’re talking about castles, plush hotels, maybe even on a boat.

“Croatia have offered a coliseum — and that’s beautiful —and we’re still open to options and flexible.

"These are all things thinking outside of the box — it just depends what’s allowed.”

Although London’s O2 leads the UK options, it depends on whether the Government ease restrictions. Hearn added: “By November, can we go to 16,000 people at the O2? Right now, we’re handcuffed by the regulations.”