Anthony Joshua will suffer his first career defeat if he fights me, promises undefeated Cuban boxer Luis Ortiz

The 38-year-old Cuban is the mandatory challenger for Joshua's WBA 'super' belt and has promised to knock out the British champion within eight rounds should they fight

Ortiz is desperate for a heavyweight showdown with Joshua (AFP/Getty )

Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz has warned Anthony Joshua that he will knock him out “within eight rounds” should he be confirmed as the next mandatory challenger for the British world heavyweight champion.

Ortiz boasts a near perfect record of 27-0-KO23 and has claimed that – despite defeat – Wladimir Klitschko managed to expose a number of weaknesses in Joshua’s game that he will be able to exploit.

“I feel more than ever that I will KO Joshua within eight rounds,” Ortiz said in an interview with boxingscene.com.

“I saw weakness. I saw a fighter that can be dropped with one punch.

“To me, Klitschko let him off the hook. I wouldn't have. I would have had him out of there in that sixth round.

“If he likes he can just give up the belt but if not then October or November sounds good to me so it's your move boy. To be the best you have to fight the best.”

Ortiz says he has learnt how to beat Joshua (Getty)

However, Ortiz is not entirely confident that he will be given the fight against Joshua.

Ahead of his flight with Klitschko at Wembley Stadium, the WBA confirmed that Joshua could be granted a “special permit” not to fight the mandatory challenger if there was a “very serious” alternative.

“It's an open window,” WBA president Gilberto J Mendoza told Sky Sports.

38-year-old Ortiz has never been beaten (Getty)

“The winner is entitled to ask for a special permit if the event merits it. But Ortiz is the mandatory contender.

“It's in writing that Luis Ortiz should be the next opponent for the winner. I know sometimes boxing allows things to happen in a different way - it would have to be something very important to consider [Ortiz not fighting the winner].”

And Ortiz has since claimed that his formidable record may see Joshua attempt to duck him.

Ortiz defeated Tony Thompson in March (Getty)

“I also feel that after Klitschko dropped Joshua with one punch that Eddie Hearn will never let Joshua get in the ring with me,” he added.

“You heard it yourself, how Joshua didn't mention my name knowing I'm next for him but he called out Fury after,” he said.

“It's my time and I want my WBA belt so yeah I'm calling Joshua out.”

Joshua is the only boxing champion with a perfect record: 19 fights, 19 wins by knockout (Getty ) (Getty)

Joshua’s next move in the sport is not clear, with a number of men lining up for their shot against the undefeated 27-year-old.

Klitschko has a rematch clause in his contract with Joshua, while the Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev – who has only ever lost once in a 26-fight career – is the mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

Meanwhile Joshua called out his compatriot Tyson Fury in the ring after beating Klitschko on Saturday night.