Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev make deadline to agree heavyweight title fight as Oleksandr Usyk waits

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has said ‘everything is in play’ as he considers his prize fighter’s options

Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev have until the end of January to agree to a world heavyweight title fight, or the Briton risks being stripped of his IBF belt.

Joshua has mandatory title defences against the Bulgarian Pulev and Ukranian fighter Oleksandr Usyk, who is next in line for a shot at his WBO crown, but Usyk could instead take on Derek Chisora in London while Joshua meets Pulev.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has said “everything is in play” as he considers his prize fighter’s options.

“Conversations are ongoing with all parties to plan what’s next and it will really come to a head over the next few weeks,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“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.”

A spokesperson for the IBF said: “I have just been told that the Pulev and Joshua camps have asked until January 31 to negotiate.”