The World Boxing Association have ordered Anthony Joshua to defend his WBA heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Luis Ortiz. This is in conflict with the IBF’s order that Joshua should fight Kubrat Pulev next.
WBA orders Joshua vs Ortiz. #WBAboxinghttps://t.co/iAwCHL2JGc kingkongboxing @anthonyfjoshua pic.twitter.com/7Ahf12HJZy
— WBA Boxing (@WBABoxing) August 3, 2017
“We are next. We have no problem fighting on that date of November 11th in Las Vegas. Our mandatory takes precedence over Pulev’s and they know that,” said Jay Jimenez, Ortiz’s manager, according to boxingscene.com
The WBA has also released a statement regarding the matter:
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.
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.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn and Joshua, they are preparing to face Pulev next, not Ortiz. The statement by WBA claims that the winner of Joshua-Klitschko was supposed to face Ortiz after 120 days. Still, Team Joshua says Pulev is the first one on the list.