Anthony Joshua: Eddie Hearn provides update on Oleksandr Usyk and Kubrat Pulev for next fight
The unified world heavyweight champion is waiting to hear which mandatory challenger will be next to begin his 2020
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Your support makes all the difference.Eddie Hearn insists it is still uncertain who Anthony Joshua will face next as the world champion attempts to satisfy his mandatories.
The WBO have informed the world heavyweight champion he must face Oleksandr Usyk next, while the IBF maintain his next fight must be against Kubrat Pulev.
And Hearn has proposed Usyk meeting Derek Chisora while Joshua takes care of business against the Bulgarian.
“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.”
One scenario could see Joshua vacate the WBO title, which could see Usyk face off against No 2 ranked fighter and former world champion Joseph Parker for the vacant belt.
“If he [Joshua] vacates the WBO, then suddenly you’ve got Usyk mandatory and I think the next available ranked boxer is Joseph Parker,” said Parker’s manager David Higgins.
“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.”
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