Anthony Joshua is set discover in the next week who his next opponent will be after was ordered to fight both Kubrat Pulev AND Oleksandr Usyk.
The 30-year-old Brit won back his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts by getting revenge on Andy Ruiz Jr with a unanimous points victory in Saudi Arabia last weekend.
But he now faces the threat of vacating one of his titles after being officially ordered to face TWO mandatory challengers in the space of 24 hours.
While fans are desperate for AJ to face Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury in a heavyweight clash of the titans, the Brit must first defend one of his belts against a mandatory.
The WBO were first to act this week by ordering Joshua to fight unbeaten Ukrainian southpaw Usyk by June 4.
But the IBF quickly reacted on Thursday by ordering Joshua to make the mandatory defence of their title against Bulgarian fighter Pulev.
Joshua could still retain both belts, with the IBF confirming they will hold a consultation with the WBO this week in the hope of thrashing out an agreement.
The most likely scenario will see the Brit face Pulev first before the winner of that takes on Usyk in the summer.
After AJ’s win in the Middles East, his promoter Eddie Hearn admitted Pulev – who pulled out of fighting Joshua in 2017 – would be the likely next opponent for a London bout in March.
The bout could happen at Tottenham’s new stadium, with Joshua revealing last week he wanted to return to his home city next after fighting in New York and Saudi Arabia.
Joshua is already beginning preparations for his return to the ring, having been back in the gym this week undergoing intense training following his victory over Ruiz Jr.
