Anthony Joshua could be presented with a world title shot in 2027, but first he must take care of Tyson Fury later this year.
The two British heavyweights are expected to collide in November, yet we are still awaiting the announcement of a specific date, location and promoter.
What we do know, however, is that Fury and ‘AJ’ will enter respective warm-up fights against Mariusz Wach and Kristian Prenga on the same weekend.
The first of which will take place at the Max Muay Thai Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand, on July 24, with 46-year-old veteran Wach having been selected as a low-risk opponent.
It would also seem that there are no plans to broadcast this fight, but rather for it to be treated as an exclusive event for the 2,000 fans in attendance.
Joshua, meanwhile, has equally been matched with a low-risk opponent, only it could be argued that even Kristian Prenga poses a greater threat than Wach.
Regardless, the 36-year-old is heavily favoured to come through his contest in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 25, before entering a long-awaited showdown with Fury.
If he defeats ‘The Gypsy King’, Joshua is then likely to pursue three-time world championship glory, potentially against newly-crowned WBC ruler Agit Kabayel.
Speaking with Sky Sports, the German insisted that he will be waiting for either Joshua or Fury, having previously sparred both heavyweights on numerous occasions.
“Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, when you think you have a chance to be a three-time world champion, let’s do it. Kabayel will wait for you.
“We can make the fight but first of all I think all the fans, the British fans, want to see the Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury fight and, after that, we can see who’s best for the fight with me.
“First of all AJ [for Fury] and after, why not? This is a big fight. We can make this also in Germany in a stadium. We can make this in the UK in a stadium.”
Kabayel was elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate his three belts and, in turn, avoid any mandatory duties.
