Anthony Joshua wants to fight Deontay Wilder next rather than mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin

The Briton is mandated by the WBA to take on Povetkin, the 38-year-old Russian who knocked out David Price on the Joshua-Parker undercard

Anthony Joshua claimed the WBO title against Joseph Parker (Getty)

Anthony Joshua wants to fight Deontay Wilder in an effort to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion, rather than take on mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin.

Joshua added the WBO belt to his WBA and IBF titles when he beat Joseph Parker in Cardiff on 31 March, and has the chance unify the division by beating the WBC champion Wilder and become the first heavyweight to hold all four belts at once.

However, the Briton is mandated by the WBA to take on Povetkin, the 38-year-old Russian who knocked out David Price on the Joshua-Parker undercard.

“I’d rather fight Wilder so if Povetkin can wait some time in 2019, that would be ideal,” said Joshua. “This is the issue when you hold more than one belt. You have to abide by each of the governing bodies’ rules.

“Some people would prefer there be one belt and one heavyweight champion. That is what we are working towards, wanting to fight Wilder. But each belt comes with eliminators and who you have to fight next, and Povetkin is one of them.

“Hopefully he can be patient but, if not, I don’t think it would make sense giving up this belt so if I have to fight Povetkin then so be it.”