ANTHONY JOSHUA’S next three opponents have been revealed – and the order in which he will fight them.
Wladimir Klitschko’s shock retirement last week ended any hopes of a Las Vegas rematch, but according to AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn, there is a clear and exciting path ahead.
WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion Joshua has two mandatory fights to be made with Kubrat Pulev and Luis Ortiz.
Number one ranked heavyweight Ortiz have been ordered by the WBA to start negotiations for a fight, giving Joshua and Ortiz just 30 days from August 3 to come to an agreement.
Also, Joshua has another mandatory fight with Pulev under the IBF commission.
There is also WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder lurking in the shadows, the Bronze Bomber having called out Joshua a number of times.
Speaking to Sky Sports, promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Rather than fight anyone of note all Wilder does is call out people he knows can’t fight him.
“The IBF resolution following the Klitschko fight is a public document for everyone to see, ‘after the rematch there will be no request for a unification considered by the IBF’.”
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Hearn has made it clear that a fight with Wilder will have to be put back until next summer as Joshua has two mandatory defences to take care of.
He added: “Obviously we now have to fight Pulev and Ortiz and it’s going to be a tough balancing act.
“The Pulev mandatory was called some time ago and we already have signed correspondence that if it’s not Klitschko then Pulev must be next.”
Hearn says that Joshua’s next three fights will be Pulev, Ortiz then a mega unification bout with the unbeaten American Wilder.
He said: "I would say right now the plan is Pulev, Ortiz then if Wilder still has a belt then AJ can relieve him of that next summer.
"AJ is 100 per cent up for fighting Pulev, 100 per cent up for fighting Ortiz and 100 per cent up for fighting Wilder and he wants to do it in a way to try and capture all belts.
"It's going to be difficult but let me tell you this young man fears no one."
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