Anthony Joshua has been ordered by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk in his next fight instead of Tyson Fury as earlier planned.
The heavyweights have 10 days until May 31, to strike a deal before purse bids will be called. Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn had requested until Monday May 24 before the WBO issued an order "to discuss the matter" with Joshua, but the delay was rejected by the Ukrainian's team.
Joshua's proposed undisputed title fixture with Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia dramatically fell apart on Saturday ,May 22, meaning Usyk is next in line for a shot at the belt.
Joshua holds the IBF, WBA and WBO belts but his plan to meet WBC ruler Fury on August 14 was dismantled by an arbitration court, who ruled that Fury must fight Deontay Wilder for a third time and defend his belt before September 15.
Usyk boasts an undefeated run in his career has beaten Tony Bellew and Derek Chisora and formerly held the undisputed cruiserweight title, is now set to challenge Joshua.
Fury and Joshua agreed a two-fight deal with the first supposed to happen in the August 2021 and the rematch expected around mid-December or in early 2022.
But change of plans came in when Deontay Wilder won his case forcing the Joshua vs Fury bout to be postponed to a later date.The first fight is now anticipated to take place in December as Anthony Joshua switches his focus on his new opponent Oleksandr Usyk.