Boxing: IBF, WBO To Decide Anthony Joshua’s Opponent For ‘Clash Of Mandatories’

British Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua’s next title defence against Kubrat Pulev or Oleksandr Usyk is set to be decided, with the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) expected to agree a ruling within the week.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed how Pulev could be the favourite for Joshua as the IBF’s mandatory challenger after Britain’s heavyweight star regained his IBF, WBO and WBA titles with a rematch victory over Mexico’s Andy Ruiz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 7.

Sky Sports reports the WBO has also called for Joshua to face Usyk, the WBO’s mandatory challenger, within 180 days and president Paco Valcárcel said the ‘first step’ would be ordering talks ‘between the parties’.

But the IBF hopes to reach a resolution for Pulev to firstly receive a guaranteed title shot as the governing body confirmed it is holding a consultation with the WBO and a final decision is likely to be reached within a week.

Joshua has acknowledged that a fight with Pulev is back on the agenda after the Bulgarian was forced to withdraw from an IBF mandatory title fight through injury in October 2017.

According to Joshua, “He comes from a great background of amateur boxing and comes from a boxing family, his brother boxes as well,”

Pulev lined up another shot at Joshua after defeating Hughie Fury on points in an IBF final eliminator last October and has stayed active with victories over Bogdan Dinu and Rydell Booker.

Usyk was elevated to the top of the WBO’s rankings, having moved up to heavyweight after becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion, and Joshua would relish the challenge of facing the Ukrainian.

“He’s from a great school of boxing, the sweet science of boxing, about hitting and not getting hit,” said Joshua. “I study Usyk so know his weaknesses and his strengths. That’s a competition I’m looking forward to.”

Joshua fulfilled his mandatory WBA obligations last September by stopping Alexander Povetkin, who battled to a draw with Michael Hunter in a WBA eliminator on the Ruiz Jr-Joshua 2 bill.