Earlier this month in Saudi Arabia, Anthony Joshua reclaimed the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight titles when he won a twelve round unanimous decision over Andy Ruiz in their rematch.

Now Joshua has two mandatory obligations at the table - and both sanctioning organizations have ordered Joshua to make a defense.

The mandatory challenger under the WBO is Oleksandr Usyk, while the IBF has ordered Joshua to face Kubrat Pulev.

At the moment, Pulev is the frontunner to get first crack at the unified crown - but Usyk and his handlers are also applying pressure to get Joshua in the ring.

Joshua is not looking to vacate any of his belts - but he could be forced to drop either the WBO or IBF - if neither mandatory challenger is willing to step aside. The IBF, under their rules, do not allow step-aside deals, so it's logically that Usyk would have to be the party to step aside.

"I would hate [to vacate a belt] because it's so hard to go round and collect all these belts, it's really difficult and I've kept hold of them for so many years," Joshua told Sky Sports.

"So to have to vacate because of the boxing politics would be annoying, but there's things that are out of my control. If I do lose one, I know I'll be able to get it back.

"Time moves so fast, it's easy to forget things. So we just look forward into the new year and more challenges, more competition and hopefully more memorable years to come. It's 2020 vision. Whoever's on the cards will get taken down. I just keep myself focused and whoever wants it can get it."