Anthony Joshua plans next step in title race

Nigerian Anthony Joshua says he is ‘out of the championship title race’ as he plans his next step in the heavyweight division.

Joshua last fought in August, suffering a second straight decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk while failing to regain the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO titles.

Joshua was then offered a shot at the WBC belt by Tyson Fury, but the Britons could not come to an agreement over what would have been the biggest heavyweight fight of this generation. Fury instead boxed Derek Chisora for a third time, beating his compatriot via TKO to stay undefeated.

Joshua, 33, has meanwhile been linked with a potential rematch against Dillian Whyte, whom Joshua lost to as an amateur but knocked out in a 2015 professional contest.

He said; “I like to see my name constantly mentioned among other fighters.

“The opportunities are always there for me, there are big opportunities to fight.

“I’ll fight whoever’s ready; I’m ready and we’ll get cracking in the new year. I want to be consistent, be fit to fight, and everything comes off the back of that.

“I’m dying for the world championship, 100 per cent. That’s all my heart and soul is leading towards, [but] I lost a fight this year which took me out of the championship title race.”

PUNCH/ Mercy Chukwudiebere