Thursday 31 October 2019 14:34, UK
Anthony Joshua's eagerly-awaited world title fight with Wladimir Klitschko is yet to be confirmed as the fighters wait to find out if the WBA belt will be at stake.
IBF heavyweight champion Joshua and Klitschko have agreed a fight at the Manchester Arena on December 10.
But Klitschko wants to reclaim his old WBA title after it was vacated by Tyson Fury and both fighters have submitted requests for the organisation to sanction the fight.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn hopes the WBA will make a decision this week, but is considering "alternative options" for the unbeaten 27-year-old.
Both teams have written to the WBA to request sanctioning of our fight, but Wladimir wants the WBA belt to be on the line so until that is approved we cannot move forward.
"The deal is there but we are awaiting sanctioning from the WBA," Hearn exclusively told Sky Sports.
"Both teams have written to the WBA to request sanctioning of our fight, but Wladimir wants the WBA belt to be on the line so until that is approved we cannot move forward.
"We expect news in the next few days, but in the meantime I believe both sides will look at alternative options for December 10 while we hope to get the news we need to make the fight happen."
