ANTHONY JOSHUA has been given a heavyweight headache after he was ordered to agree world title defences against Kubrat Pulev AND Oleksandr Usyk.
After AJ, 30, gained revenge by beating Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia he was confronted with TWO heavyweight mandatory challengers – and now faces with the threat of vacating a belt.
Anthony Joshua has been ordered to agree fights with both Pulev and UsykCredit: PA:Press Association
Bulgarian Pulev is next in line for the IBF crown while Usyk became the WBO’s next contender after he moved up from cruiserweight, per a ruling in the governing bodies rules.
The WBO acted first by ordering unified champion Joshua to defend his belt against Ukrainian southpaw Usyk with the Brit given until June 4 to do so.
But the ESPN report the IBF soon retaliated putting AJ in an awkward position by also ordering him to defend his belt against Pulev next.
They wrote in a letter: “Negotiations should commence immediately and be concluded by January 11, 2020.
“If you are unable to come to an agreement for this bout the IBF will call for a purse bid.”
Both the governing bodies have given Joshua until January to agree the defences or face being stripped of a title if he does not do so.
After AJ’s rematch win in Saudi, promoter Eddie Hearn suggested Pulev – who pulled out of fighting Joshua in 2017 – would be the likely next opponent for a London bout in March.
Meanwhile Usyk, also signed with the Matchroom Boxing boss, was offered a fight with Brit star Derek Chisora in the interim before facing the winner between AJ and Pulev.
The scenario still stands, as Joshua insisted post-fight after beating Ruiz he will complete his mandatory defences before chasing Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
The 6ft 6in Watford ace could face Pulev in March before clashing with Usyk in a summer mega-fight, meeting the WBO’s June deadline, though an extension can be requested.
Joshua can only be excused from the mandatory defences if he secures an undisputed title fight with the WBC champion.
The current holder Wilder defends the belt against Fury in February, with a trilogy decider already signed also.
The WBO acted first by ordering unified champion Joshua to defend his belt against Ukrainian southpaw Usyk
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
