From retirements to mandatory challengers. From Vegas to Cardiff. The timeline that will result in Anthony Joshua vs Carlos Takam...
January 29, 2017 - An innocuous-looking fight in Macao sets the ball rolling. Carlos Takam KOs Marcin Rekowski to win the IBF inter-continental title and improve his ranking with the organisation.
April 28 - Kubrat Pulev, already the mandatory challenger to the IBF belt, out-points Kevin Johnson (a 2015 victim of Joshua's).
May 7 - Pulev's promoter Kalle Sauerland reiterates their right to face Joshua, saying: "It's a fight that we were offered before and turned down because we knew we were mandatory. It's key that we have that fight. It's a fight that [Pulev] has earned."
May 11 - Klitschko is still considering whether to accept a rematch against Joshua. Promoter Eddie Hearn says: "Cardiff, Las Vegas, China and Dubai are all in play."
June 7 - Joshua-Klitschko II is approved by the IBF. Pulev had objected but accepted the condition that he will receive his shot immediately afterwards.
June 17 - Takam KOs Ivica Bacurin (a former opponent of Dillian Whyte and Tony Bellew) in Italy.
June 29 - As Vegas plans intensify for Joshua-Klitschko II, Showtime boss Stephen Espinoza says: "It would be the biggest heavyweight Vegas fight in probably a couple of decades, so we would love to host it."
September 5 - Joshua vs Pulev, his mandatory challenger, is confirmed for October 28 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. Meanwhile, unbeknown to most, stand-by opponent Takam begins a training camp.
October 17 - Johnny Nelson said: "I was watching 'AJ' train a few weeks ago and it was all specifically in preparation for Pulev, the height, the movement, the shot and his onslaught - now he has to change all that."