ANTHONY JOSHUA wants a huge unification showdown with Deontay Wilder next — and has asked Alexander Povetkin to wait until 2019.
The WBA has ordered the Watford-born bruiser to begin negotiations against mandatory challenger Povetkin, 38.
But Joshua, 28, — who also holds the WBO and IBF belts — wants to take on WBC champ Wilder, 32, so he can become the first man to hold all four titles.
Joshua said: “I’d rather fight Wilder so if Povetkin can wait some time in 2019, that would be ideal.
“This is the issue when you hold more than one belt.
“You have to abide by each of the governing bodies’ rules.
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“Some people would prefer there be one belt and one heavyweight champion.
“That is what we are working towards, wanting to fight Wilder.
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“But each belt comes with eliminators and who you have to fight next, and Povetkin is one of them.
“Hopefully he can be patient but, if not, I don’t think it would make sense giving up this belt so if I have to fight Povetkin then so be it.”
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