Joshua vs Pulev: Promoter Eddie Hearn wants Dillian Whyte-Dominic Breazeale for undercard in Cardiff

Promoter Eddie Hearn is hoping to agree a heavyweight fight between Dillian Whyte and Dominic Breazeale for the Anthony Joshua-Kubrat Pulev undercard.

Breazeale was originally scheduled to face Bermane Stiverne in New York on November 4, but the WBC have ordered Deontay Wilder to make his next title defence against the Haitian, his mandatory challenger, after Luis Ortiz failed a drug test.

Hearn has offered Whyte as a replacement opponent for the American on the Joshua bill in Cardiff on October 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with the winner edging closer to a shot at Wilder.

"In an ideal world, Wilder will fight Stiverne, who is his mandatory. Get that out of the way and we'll fight Breazeale on October 28 and the winner can fight the winner early next year," Hearn told Sky Sports.

"Dillian Whyte's in a great position now. He's No 3 in the WBC, I think he's No 6 with the IBF, ranked with the WBO and the WBA, so that shot's coming."

Whyte was willing to challenge Wilder instead of Ortiz and Hearn admits he has found is hard to tie down another top-ranked heavyweight to face 'The Body Snatcher.'

"It's very frustrating at the moment," said Hearn. "We've been through the whole rankings. People tell me the number they want to get in the ring with Dillian Whyte. I pay the money and they find an excuse not to fight him.

"He's a nightmare, because he's such a handful. I'm not saying he's the best heavyweight in the world, but what he is - is a handful.

"The only people that seem to want to fight Dillian Whyte is Anthony Joshua and Dereck Chisora. All these other heavyweights don't seem to want to get in the ring."