The Anthony Joshua unification fight plan next year against Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder has took another negative turn.

In the last week it was reported that should a deal not be forthcoming for WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, that Joshua may have to look at fighting his mandatory contender with the WBA.

Depending on how things play out, this could be potentially Alexander Povetkin if the Russian wins his fight later this month.

However things are now totally all over the shop, as Joshua might even face his old rival Dillian Whyte in a rematch in the early new year.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Dillian Whyte said:

“It’s either Parker or me, really.”

Joshua went on record after his last win against Carlos Takam saying that it is the big unification fights that he wants in 2018.

If it’s not Deontay Wilder or Joseph Parker next in 2018, expect a fan backlash.

While Joshua vs Wilder was entertaining a couple of years back, it’s the big fights that fans crave and more than anything, it’s boxing’s opportunity to see a unified heavyweight champion of the world by the end of next year.

The gravity of that alone should not be underestimated. Before Wladimir Klitschko you’d have to go a long, long way back before boxing could say that as a sport.