Anthony Joshua wants his next opponent sorted by the end of the month so he can begin ‘cracking’ on with his preparation.
The rematch with Wladimir Klitschko seems the most likely next fight for Joshua, but the Ukrainian is still mulling over whether he wants to order the second fight.
Joshua has just returned from a visit to Las Vegas with his next fight expected to take place in America.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has promised fans a decision on the heavyweight’s next opponent will be made by the end of next week.
‘I think by the end of next week, we’ll have a final decision in terms of venue and opponent for Anthony Joshua,’ Hearn told Sky Sports.
‘At the moment, everything is geared towards Wladimir Klitschko in Las Vegas.
‘There are some interesting dynamics to the commercials of the deal, which we are working through with [Klitschko’s manager] Bernd Boente.
‘AJ will go on holiday at the weekend with his family for a week and then we will be going straight into camp. Watch this space for an announcement.’
Joshua has a host of options in front of him, but should Klitschko decide against the rematch the unified world champion will probably conduct his mandatory IBF defence against Kubrat Pulev.
The 27-year-old became a global superstar overnight when he stopped Klitschko in a war at Wembley in April.
And Joshua is eager to be given an opponent so he can focus on getting back into fight camp.
‘I hope we can put a seal on it before the end of the month,’ Joshua told Press Association.
‘If we fought November 11, starting August 22 is a three-month camp, so towards the end of the month, one way or the other [I’m expecting to know], because I’ve got to crack on.
‘It was just fun, it was just entertaining. I’d do it again, definitely.
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‘And going to Vegas opens the door for the Wilder fight.
‘[Klitschko’s] not going to top what he’s already done but for 10 years people said he was boring because he was so dominant, but he got a lot of respect in defeat, so that should give him a real motivation [for a rematch].
‘He’s got another chance to do it. I’d do it if I was him.’
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