The 27-year-old Briton, who also holds the IBF and IBO titles, had been due to face Wladimir Klitschko in a rematch of their April bout that Josua won via an 11th round knockout but the Ukrainian announced his retirement on Thursday.
“Both parties (Joshua and Ortiz) were duly notified that, as of August 3rd, they have 30 days to reach an agreement or the fight will be called to purse bids,” the WBA said in a statement.
Joshua, undefeated in 19 bouts, has also been told he must face IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria before Dec. 2 or risk being stripped of that belt. The 38-year-old Ortiz is also unbeaten, recording 23 knockouts in 27 career wins, and is a former WBA interim world champion. Former champion Klitschko, who made 23 world title defences during his glittering career, has backed the Briton to lead the next generation of heavyweight fighters. “My HEART is at PEACE as I pass the torch to @anthonyfjoshua — the next generation. Good luck little bro, I’m proud of you!,” the 41-year-old posted on Twitter.
Khan and Joshua in
Twitter infidelity row
Meanwhille, Anthony Joshua and his fellow British boxer Amir Khan became embroiled in an explosive Twitter spat yesterday after Khan appeared to accuse Joshua of having a relationship with his wife.
Khan, who is currently on holiday in Dubai, said he was splitting up with his American wife, Faryal Makhdoom Khan, and suggested she had got together with Joshua.
Joshua, the reigning world heavyweight champion, and Makhdoom both responded by denying the accusations, with Makhdoom accusing Khan of being unfaithful. “Faryal moved on quick,” Khan wrote on Twitter. “Always mentioned to me how much she wanted to be with another guy, from all people another boxer @anthonyfjoshua.”
In subsequent tweets, former light-welterweight champion Khan added: “Left my family and friends for this Faryal. I’m not hurt but another fighter. I’m making it public. You getting the divorce #Golddigger. Mans like Joshua can have my left overs!”
Makhdoom, a model, hit back: “Accusing other boxers just because your boxing career is finished. Man up amir. After all these years. I’ve always defending (sic) a cheat, always stuck around for him, always had his back. And I’m called a gold digger?”
Joshua responded by posting a clip of the song ‘It Wasn’t Me’ by Shaggy, in which the protagonist tries to dodge accusations of infidelity. He added: “Bantz (banter) aside, I hope you guys can resolve your situation or this is a hack as we have never even met! Plus I like my women BBW (Big Beautiful Women) #ItWasntMe.”
Khan and his wife have a history of airing their dirty linen in public. Last year Makhdoom, 26, took to another social media forum, snapchat, to blast Khan’s family, accusing them of abusing and bullying her. Khan, 30, responded by telling his wife and family to try harder to get along. But he and Makhdoom also appeared on British daytime television in January to discuss rumours about his infidelity and a sex tape he appeared in.
