British boxing promoters love nothing more than to stage a show in a football stadium.

Muhammad Ali v Henry Cooper, Nigel Benn v Chris Eubank II,  Lennox Lewis v Frank Bruno, Carl Froch v George Groves II, Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko and so on. It’s a love affair and one that looks set to continue in 2020.

With Josh Warrington looking likely to defend his IBF Featherweight title at Elland Road and WBC Super Middleweight champion Callum Smith lined up for a potential dream occasion at Anfield there may well be a third football stadium event to add to that list, which may provide one of the fights of the year.

The Lancashire Evening Post have reported that Deepdale, the home of Preston North End are the favourites to host the British grudge rematch between British Super Welterweight champion, and PNE fan, Scott Fitzgerald (14-0, 9 KOs) and his arch-rival Anthony Fowler (10-1, 8 KOs).

Fitzgerald landed the Lonsdale belt in Newcastle two weeks ago defeating Ted Cheeseman, after a slow start, to edge out the Londoner with a unanimous decision. It was Fitzgerald’s third fight of the year, the second of which saw the 27-year-old dish out the first loss on Fowler’s slate after the pair fought out an enthralling ten rounder on March 30th.

It had been thought that their rematch would go on the undercard of Callum Smith’s proposed fight at Anfield, the iconic home of Liverpool F.C, next summer, providing he defeats John Ryder on November 23rd.

Their promoter Eddie Hearn was in Preston today (October 31st) to hold talks with officials at Preston North End about hosting the grudge match at their 23,000 capacity stadium. Discussions are at a preliminary stage because, as is the case with all outdoor events, meetings will have to be held with the local council and police before the event can get the go-ahead.

Fitzgerald took to Twitter earlier today to say “No messing about guys” regarding Hearn meeting officials at Deepdale while Fowler himself tweeted, “I’m game, they love me in Preston.”

After such a brilliant first fight it might just be fitting that their rematch goes outdoors in front of a bigger audience in a unique atmosphere that’s created when boxing crosses over into football.

Twitter @shaunrbrown