Anthony Joshua’s next fight against Kubrat Pulev before facing Oleksandr Usyk, says Eddie Hearn

ANTHONY JOSHUA is in line to face IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev next - leaving WBO No1 challenger Oleksandr Usyk out in the cold until later in 2020.

After AJ exacted revenge against Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in December, the Brit was immediately confronted with TWO mandatory challengers.

3

3

WBO president Francisco Varcarcel announced Joshua has 180 days to defend his belt against Usyk - who became next in line as soon as he moved up from cruiserweight as part of the governing body's rules.

But promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the Ukrainian southpaw will be made to wait until later in 2020, with IBF mandatory Pulev the likely next opponent for unified champion Joshua.

Hearn told : “He certainly doesn't want to let [go of the titles] in the ring, or out of the ring.

"The IBF seems to be the one that was certainly ordered first. But I'll need to speak to (IBF president) Daryl Peoples, I'll need to speak to 'Paco' (head of the WBO).

"(Joshua) certainly wants to make sure he can keep every belt. So that's what we'll be trying to do."

3

Hearn plans to negotiate a deal with the WBO that will see Usyk face Brit heavyweight Derek Chisora before facing the winner of AJ and Pulev later in the year.

Joshua and Bulgarian Pulev have already requested to the IBF for more time to negotiate a world title fight.

The Watford-born star has made it clear he wants to finally settle the score with WBC champion Deontay Wilder and domestic rival Tyson Fury.

But with the pair re-matching in February, and already signed for a trilogy afterwards, AJ said post-fight in Saudi he will deal with his mandatories before targeting the big two.

Most read in boxing

WHAM GLAM

Boxing braced for introduction of AI ring girls after first judge at Fury-Usyk 2

BOXING BATTLE

'Voice of Boxing' opens up on 'dark times' during heartbreaking cancer battle

OPEN MIKE

Boxing icon Mike Tyson's alarming confession after Jake Paul defeat

'HEARTBROKEN'

World champion boxer, 35, dies suddenly after Jake Paul link

Joshua explained: "Anyone can get it, the resume shows that but I'll be keen to handle my mandatories because the current WBC champion is fighting with Tyson Fury so good luck to them both, that's another exciting fight for the division.

"In the meantime, I'll handle my mandatories that I'll have to do or I want to vacate a belt and I've just worked hard to get them I don't want to give them away.

"I'm just going to go over all my steps, all my processes, knock them down one by one and when the big boys are ready, Britain's here and waiting to become the next undisputed champion of the world."