By Richard Damerell & James Dielhenn
Last Updated: (/ / (7:) **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** am
Highlights from Anthony Joshua’s win over Andy Ruiz Jr
The race to be Anthony Joshua’s next opponent is being led by Kubrat Pulev, promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed.
Joshua became a two-time world heavyweight champion bywinning his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr on Saturday night, but immediately has Oleksandr Usyk (WBO) and Pulev (IBF) circling as his two mandatory challengers.
Asked how soon a decision would be made about Joshua’s next fight, Hearn told (Sky Sports) *****************************************: “It’s going to have to be quite quickly, because obviously now the vultures will be out, as I would be. I don’t blame them.
“I’ve got to speak to the IBF and the WBO and see who goes first. I think it sounds like it’s the IBF, but we’ll wait for confirmation of that. AJ will want to maintain the belts and if that’s the case, I think it will be Pulev, and then Usyk.
“I think April or May, that’s a realistic kind of date [for Joshua’s next fight]. “
pic.twitter.com/8d9LifQGLw
– Kubrat Pulev (@KubratPulev) (December 7,) ******************************************************************************
WBO president Paco Valcarcel stated immediately after Joshua regained the belts that he would be obliged to defend against Usyk within six months. But, prior to Joshua’s rematch with Ruiz Jr, the IBF told
Sky Sportsthat they expected their mandatory challenger, Pulev, to receive his chance first.
“Ours has to come first,” an IBF statement said. “The organizations have agreed that the IBF mandatory would be next.”
And Pulev’s promoters Top Rank told (Sky Sports) **************************************: “Kubrat Pulev’s next fight will be for the IBF world heavyweight title.” (Bulgaria’s Pulev, 42, has lost just one of fights, against Wladimir Klitschko five years ago. He has beaten Derek Chisora and Hughie Fury since and was scheduled to fight Joshua in but withdrew injured .
Meanwhile Usyk, who became undisputed cruiserweight champion last year and won his heavyweight debut in October, plans to fight Chisora if he does, as expected, miss out on Immediately challenging Joshua.
Hearn said: “Usyk may fight Chisora first, maybe we tie that deal up, and then see what happens.”
Usyk had previously insisted that he wanted to challenge for heavyweight gold as soon as possible but, more recently, told (Sky Sports) that his priority was to avoid inactivity while he waited.
His Manager Egis Klimas said: “If it is possible to fight in between and not to wait for another six months, I think Chisora will be a good fight for Usyk. “
Joshua, soon after regaining the IBF, WBA and WBO belts in Saudi Arabia, indicated his willingness to take on Usyk. They both won gold medals at the London Olympics.
“Let’s rock and roll, mate. No problem,” Joshua said about fighting Usyk.
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AJ on Wilder, Pulev, Usyk …
‘Governor of the division’
Elsewhere in the heavyweight division, Deontay Wilder is expected to defend his WBC title against Tyson Fury in February.
Joshua said after his fight on Saturday night: “Oleksandr Usyk, Pulev, Ruiz, I don’t want to mention the other guy’s name, you know who they are, but when they’re ready.
“I’ve fought a lot of great names on my record. I’ve beaten some good names as well and I’m looking forward to taking on more challenges. Andy is still on that list, because I think we make for good music. He’s a good dancing partner.
“I’d love to unite the belts [against Wilder], but I think me chasing him, same as in the fights, if I’m chasing the right hand, I’m chasing the right hook, it may come crashing down.
“I realise that chasing that fight wasn’t playing into my benefit. I’ve just going to let the path take its course. I’ve got great people managing me. I’ve got a great team, and when the opportunity presents itself to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, you know me by now, I’ll definitely step up and take the challenge. “
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