ANTHONY JOSHUA and Kubrat Pulev have requested more time to negotiate a world title fight.
Joshua, 30, looks to be facing the Bulgarian in his next bout, after he was ordered by the IBF to defend his belt against the ex-European champion.
Anthony Joshua has been ordered by the IBF toface Kubrat Pulev nextCredit: The Mega Agency
Pulev and Joshua have requested more time to negotiate their world title fightCredit: Getty – Contributor
But AJ was given a heavyweight headache as the WBO also announced the unified champion must defend his belt in a mandatory defence against Oleksandr Usyk.
It appears, though, that Joshua will face Pulev next, after a representative of the IBF told Sky Sports the two heavyweights have asked for an extension to their negotiation deadline.
The governing body said: “I have just been told that the Pulev and Joshua camps have asked until January 31 to negotiate.”
Joshua had been told negotiate a showdown with Usyk this month, with the two being ordered to fight before June 4.
But promoter Eddie Hearn plans to negotiate a deal with the WBO that will see Usyk face Brit heavyweight Derek Chisora before facing the winner of AJ and Pulev.
Hearn said: “Conversations are ongoing with all parties to plan what’s next and it will really come to a head over the next few weeks.
“We are still awaiting clarification from the governing bodies to confirm who is chronologically next but right now everything is in play.
“In terms of Usyk versus Chisora that is still a potential outcome, but March 7 is unlikely. Instead we have March 28 on hold at the O2.”
But if Joshua faces Pulev next and has to vacate the WBO belt, ex-opponent and champion Joseph Parker will contest for the strap against Usyk.
Parker’s manager David Higgins added: “If he [Joshua] vacates the WBO, then suddenly you’ve got Usyk mandatory and I think the next available ranked boxer is Joseph Parker.
“You could end up with a situation where you have Usyk fight Parker for the vacant title, which funnily enough is how Joseph became world champion.
“He fought [Andy] Ruiz for the vacant title. History repeats.”
Usyk was ordered to fight Joshua in a WBO mandatory defenceCredit: AP:Associated Press
Joseph Parker could face Usyk for the WBO belt if Joshua vacates the world titleCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
