How Anthony Joshua can become a 3-time heavyweight champion

Anthony Joshua has set sights on redemption after losing the WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua suffered a loss to Usyk after 12 rounds in a rematch that took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Following his second loss to Usyk, Joshua was in negotiations with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury for a British showdown later in the year.

Negotiations broke down as Fury defeated Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium while Joshua makes his return to the ring in early 2023.

A pathway for Joshua to become a three-time heavyweight world champion has now been created by his promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom boxing.

Fury has now defeated Chisora and will need some months to create an undisputed fight against Usyk due to an injury.

However mandatory could be barriers to making those fights which is where Joshua can seize the opportunity.

Fury also is enticed by the commercial opportunity of a potential fourth fight with Deontay Wilder.

Wilder has been sanctioned to face Andy Ruiz in a WBC eliminator for the mandatory position.

Speaking on a potential fourth fight against Wilder, Fury said, "That'd be amazing here. I've been over there three times, if he wants the fourth fight, he's gotta come to England. Do that at Wembley, break all records again." 

Usyk who was present at the fight against Chisora now has a mandatory challenger in Filip Hrgovic for the IBF title.

Should Ruiz take on Wilder in the WBC eliminator, Joshua could have a chance at the IBF title.

Usyk has set his sights on Fury and could vacate the IBF title to make the fight happen rather than honoring the mandatory against Hrgovic.

Ruiz fighting Wilder and Usyk taking on Fury would see the IBF then order a fight for the title between Joshua and Hrgovic

Joshua's manager Eddie Hearn also represents Hrgovic and spoke about why his client wants the mandatory against Usyk now.

He said, "I've already spoken to people involved in that fight [Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk] who are quite upset that it [Filip Hrgovic mandatory] is gonna stop Fury vs Usyk for now. 

"But nothing to do with me, we represent Hrgovic, we don't represent Fury or Usyk."

It is expected that the picture gets clearer in the boxing heavyweight division early next year as Fury reveals details of his injury while Joshua picks his next opponent.