ANTHONY JOSHUA has confirmed he will step back into the ring in March to defend his heavyweight belts.
The Brit became a two-time world champ after getting revenge on Andy Ruiz Jr on Saturday six months after his shock defeat.
AJ is likely to fight mandatory challengers Oleksandr Usyk or Bulgarian Kubrat PulevCredit: Reuters
Usyk is the mandatory challenger for the WBO titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
AJ, 30, is likely to fight mandatory challengers Oleksandr Usyk or Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev.
Keeping hold of all four of his belts could cause a problem for the Brit with Usyk mandatory for the WBO and Pulev for the IBF.
Joshua told Sky Sports: “The work begins again because around March I’ll be defending those titles again.
“I’m already focusing on my next fight.
“Anyone can get it, the resume shows that but I’ll be keen to handle my mandataries because the current WBC champion is fighting with Tyson Fury so good luck to them both, that’s another exciting fight for the division.
“In the meantime, I’ll handle my mandatories that I’ll have to do or I want to vacate a belt and I’ve just worked hard to get them I don’t want to give them away.
“I’m just going to go over all my steps, all my processes, knock them down one by one and when the big boys are ready, Britain’s here and waiting to become the next undisputed champion of the world.”
March’s fight would come just a month after Tyson Fury’s highly-anticipated rematch against WBC title holder Wilder.
WBO president Francisco Varcarcel has given AJ 180 days to negotiate a deal with Usyk with the deadline ending on June 4th or face giving up his belt.
Usyk signed with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn last year, meaning the super-fight can easily be made and one that will come with consequences should it not happen.
Meanwhile Pulev who pulled out of fighting AJ in 2017 – became the IBF’s No1 challenger last year after beating Hughie Fury.
AJ could be forced to pick between a super-fight with Usyk, or potentially easier defence against 38-year-old Pulev.
But unless promoter Hearn can negotiate one of the mandatories giving way, his golden boy could be forced to give up one of the belts he battled so hard for in Saudi.
Bulgarian Pulev is also in the frame to fight AJ in MarchCredit: Getty – Contributor
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
