Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn must plot a clever path to unify all four major belts

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John Dillon28 October 2017

The IBF, WBA and IBO world heavyweight title belts made it safely back to Anthony Joshua’s dressing room in Cardiff on Saturday after his successful defence of his three world titles against Carlos Takam.

So what’s next for Britain’s hugely popular champion from Watford?

The victory against Takam dealt with the mandatory requirements of the IBF (International Boxing Federation) authority so, strictly speaking, Joshua does not have to worry about being forced into another defence of that title for another year now.

However, there are plans for him to box again in the Spring - possibly against the Kiwi WBO (World Boxing Organisation) champion Joseph Parker in America - and that IBF title would also be placed on the line in the next fight.

It should be borne in mind that the long-term aim is to create a hugely lucrative unification fight between Joshua and the WBC (World Boxing Council) champion, Deontay Wilder of the USA.

The idea – depending on a massive tangle of negotiations – is for Joshua to box three times in 2018, at home and abroad for the first time professionally.

First, though, there will be complications – or what Britain’s greatest heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis, used to refer to as “boxing politrix.”

Joshua, 28, has not yet made a mandatory defence of the WBA belt, which he won when he contested it with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley on April 29.

The rules state that he must make such a defence within a year.

In Pictures | Anthony Joshua's professional fights

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Back in August, the WBA ordered that Joshua must set up a collision with their mandatory challenger, the 38-year-old Carlos Ortiz of Cuba, by the beginning of September.

That went on hold when Ortiz agreed to challenge the WBC king Wilder - after it appeared at first that Joshua might secure a massively money-spinning re-match with Klitschko with the WBA’S blessing ahead of the mandatory defence.

The Ukrainian then announced his retirement while the Wilder versus Ortiz match was being set up.

Another twist came when Ortiz was forced to withdraw from the November 4 date against Wilder in New York after failing a drugs test.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

The undefeated Wilder now meets Bermane Stiverne on that night, having defeated him before on points in 2015.

These complications are familiar in boxing, particularly in the heavyweight division. It explains why the situation is unclear. And Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, will have to plot a clever path if they are to achieve his aim of becoming undisputed champion with all four major belts in his possession.

The alternative is to vacate any titles which present particular problems in setting up the contests Joshua wants. However, that would scupper the plan to become undisputed champion.

The WBA have not yet appointed a replacement mandatory challenger for Ortiz and he retains that status pending an appeal against the failed drugs test.

If the appeal is successful, the WBA are likely to demand that Joshua defends their belt against the Cuban early next year.

If he doesn’t, he will have to vacate it or be stripped of it.

Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

The undefeated Russian 40-year-old, Alexander Ustinov, is the next man behind Ortiz in the WBA rankings. So an alternative scenario is that he could be handed the mandatory slot.

A further complication is promoter Hearn’s insistence that Joshua should receive the major cut of earnings from a potential meeting with Wilder because the American cannot match the Briton’s global drawing power and levels of interest.

In fact, Hearn has suggested that Wilder should fight London’s Dillian Whyte at the O2 Arena in February to build his status in the UK before thinking about meeting Joshua.

Remember, too, that this is the dramatic world of heavyweight boxing – one lucky punch from an underdog can change the whole landscape and wreck all the best-laid plans in an instant.

However, a rough schedule for Joshua might look like this:

FEBRUARY/MARCH: A debut US fight – possibly against Parker, Ortiz or another WBA mandatory challenger. Or an opponent who would help build the Londoner’s profile in America.

JUNE/JULY: Possible meeting Parker in British stadium or in USA

OCTOBER: Unification clash with Wilder in British stadium or major Las Vegas venue.

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