Sky Sports secures rights to Joshua v Klitschko

The Wembley Stadium fight, which will take place on 29 April, was confirmed after Joshua's 18th consecutive victory by knockout on Saturday evening and it has now been confirmed that pub customers will be able to watch the Brit take on the legendary Klitschko on Sky Sports Box Office.

The unification fight for the IBF, IBO and vacant WBA Super World Heavyweight titles has been touted for over a year now and could set a UK attendance record at the stadium so licensees can capitalise on a fight that may also threaten the UK pay-per-view record set by Floyd Mayweather Jr and Ricky Hatton in 2007.

Joshua has won all 18 of his professional bouts since his gold medal triumph at the 2012 London Olympics. It will be the third defence of his IBF title after victories over Dominic Breazeale and Eric Molina. Klitschko, meanwhile, has fought in 28 heavyweight title fights, more than any heavyweight champion in the sport’s history.

"Klitschko is hoping to get me before I'm ready but I think age will be a big factor," Joshua said. "I'm not going out with the mentality that I'm going to knock him out, I'm going to plan on boxing over 12 rounds. I haven't fought anyone like him, but he will present opportunities because he'll be boxing in front of me. I need to make him miss and make him pay."

The fight joins David Haye's March 4 bout with Tony Bellew on the Sky Sports Box Office roster for the first half of next year.