Anthony Joshua has been ordered to defend his WBA heavyweight title.
Following Wladimir Klitschko’s retirement, which brought fans’ hopes of a rematch with ‘AJ’ to an end, Joshua has to reevaluate his options.
Initial talk from promoter Eddie Hearn was that the London 2012 gold medallist would fulfil his mandatory IBF defence against Kubrat Pulev but now there is another potential opponent to contend with.
The World Boxing Association has informed Joshua that he must agree to a fight with mandatory challenger Luis Ortiz or the fight will go to purse bids.
“According to the resolution sent on January 11th, 2017, to both parties, it was reported that the winner of the Joshua-Klitschko fight, held on April 29th, 2017, had to face Ortiz after 120 days,” a WBA statement read.
WBA orders Joshua vs Ortiz. #WBAboxing https://t.co/iAwCHL2JGc kingkongboxing @anthonyfjoshua pic.twitter.com/7Ahf12HJZy
— WBA Boxing (@WBABoxing) August 3, 2017
“95 days have passed and, for this reason, the Championships Committee ordered to negotiate a fight between the British and Cuban boxers.
“Both parties were duly notified that, as of August 3rd, they have 30 days to reach an agreement or the fight will be called to purse bids.”
All signs had pointed to a rematch between Joshua and Klitschko, with a date and venue seemingly picked for the biggest heavyweight fight in years, before the Ukrainian legend decided to hang up his gloves for good.
Wheels in motion https://t.co/00PwRitXoB
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 13, 2017
November 11 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena was targeted for the bout and Ortiz is more than happy to step in for Klitschko and put his undefeated record on the line against ‘AJ’.
“We are next,” Ortiz’s manager Jay Jimenez told BoxingScene.com.
“We have no problem fighting on that date of November 11th in Las Vegas. Our mandatory takes precedence over Pulev’s and they know that.”
