Anthony Joshua could face a mandatory defence against Robert Helenius next should he overcome Oleksandr Usyk in their eagerly-anticipated rematch, according to the heavyweight contender's manager.
Joshua fell to a one-sided unanimous decision defeat to the Ukrainian mastermind in front of a capacity crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, with Usyk capturing the WBA, WBO and IBF titles.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed Joshua has activated the contractually-agreed rematch clause and will have another crack at Usyk early next year.
All roads point towards a mouth-watering undisputed showdown against WBC champion Tyson Fury for the rematch victor, after the Gypsy King ended his long-term rivalry with Deontay Wilder with a conclusive 11th-round stoppage in their trilogy bout earlier in October.