Anthony Joshua could be in line for another world title shot without having to rematch Daniel Dubois.
Joshua was expected to pursue a second outing with Dubois, after suffering a brutal fifth round stoppage defeat, in a bid for the latter’s IBF heavyweight title in September.
However, injuries sustained in the bout ruled out ‘AJ’ and Dubois is reportedly set to defend his crown against Joseph Parker on February 22, although the fight is yet to be formally confirmed.
Joshua could now feasibly swerve a rematch with Dubois altogether, with the WBC set to sanction a bout for their interim title between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel, while the full title is on the line when Oleksandr Usyk faces Tyson Fury in a rematch on December 21.
“The WBC has received a formal request to sanction such fight for the Interim title and the WBC will accept to sanction it,” the body’s president, Mauricio Sulaiman told Sky Sports.
“Why? Because we have done everything possible for the past several years to reach the ultimate, great fights in each weight category, especially in the heavyweights.
“All this time we have been perfectly clear and transparent that the WBC will not impose any mandatory that goes against having the ultimate undisputed champion because they’re fighting the best available.
“There’s no better fight than Usyk-Fury. So with that fighting happening, and then the possibilities for the future, we have accepted the No 2 and the No 3 to fight for the Interim title.
“Keep them active and keep the division having the best fights possible.”
A showdown between Zhang and Kabayel is expected to land on the proposed Dubois-Parker bill on February 22 in Riyadh.
Joshua is rated at six with the governing body, two places below Zhang, who he beat at the 2012 Olympics and Sulaiman admits he would consider sanctioning the former two-time heavyweight world champion against the winner.
“Absolutely,” Sulaiman added.
“That’s an opening of possibilities for more fights to continue to take place.”
Joshua will be a keen observer when Fury looks to exact revenge over Usyk, two weeks on Saturday, after losing by split decision to the Ukrainian in May.
‘AJ’, who has lost twice to Usyk, is yet to face ‘The Gypsy King’ despite years of clamour for the pair to meet, but a win for Fury could move that seemingly elusive prospect, closer to a reality.
