Anthony Joshua ordered to fight Luis Ortiz

Anthony Joshua gets yet another mandatory challenger thrown at him

George Gigney

Anthony Joshua ordered to fight Luis Ortiz
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IBF and WBA world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been ordered to fight mandatory challenger Luis Ortiz next.

Prior to Joshua’s historic April 29 fight with Wladimir Klitschko, the WBA announced that the winner would have to fight unbeaten Cuban Ortiz within 120 days.

Overnight the organisation released a statement confirming that Joshua’s team must now work with Ortiz’s team to come to an agreement, or else the fight goes to purse bids.

“The World Boxing Association Championships Committee ordered the teams behind British Anthony Joshua, current Heavyweight Champion, and Cuban Luis Ortiz, number one in the ranking at more than 200 pounds, to start negotiations for a fight between them,” their statement read.

“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. 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.”

The announcement brings problems for Joshua, who must also fulfil his IBF mandatory obligations. His number one challenger with that organisation is Kubrat Pulev, who agreed to step aside for the Klitschko fight to happen under the assurance that he will fight the winner.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is reportedly working on a fight with Pulev, perhaps at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales later this year.

The news comes after Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing, meaning his expected rematch with Joshua is scrapped.

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