Joshua will not fight Klitschko in December

Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title fight with Wladimir Klitschko on December 10 will not go ahead.

Promoter Eddie Hearn announced that with the Ukrainian suffering from a “minor injury” and no decision over whether the WBA title would be on the line, the fight could not happen on the date suggested.

He said: “I was made aware that Wladimir picked up a minor injury late last week, but regardless of that, with just over six weeks to go until December 10, it’s unrealistic to put together a fight of this magnitude and give it the full build-up it deserves.

“There will be an official announcement on Joshua v Klitschko coming very soon, but for now we are seeking a new foe for December 10 and building a huge card for Manchester.”

Hearn said just over a week ago that “terms are virtually there” for a fight between Joshua and Klitschko, only for the wait for WBA sanctioning to delay the deal.

Klitschko lost the WBA belt to Tyson Fury last November, along with the IBF title.

The latter sanctioning body insisted on a rematch, leading Fury to vacate that belt, which was won by Joshua against Charles Martin in April.

Fury then relinquished his remaining WBA, WBO and IBO titles and stepped away from the sport to battle mental health issues.

Klitschko appeared unwilling to fight Joshua without the WBA belt being on the line and is reported to be lining up a fight with Australia’s Lucas Browne for that title.

Joshua’s opponent on December 10 could now be IBF mandatory challenger Joseph Parker, Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev or fellow British Olympian David Price.

Anthony Joshua.