It looks like there’s a 3 fight strategy for Joshua. Pulev-Mandatory, Ortiz -mandatory followed by a unification with Wilder. These are my early predictions on each fight

Of the 3, Ortiz and Wilder have potential to be most difficult. I’s not that Im giving Pulev no chance whatsoever but I think its relatively a safe 1st fight. Pulev loses his composure under fire. He did a lot of silly things vs Wvlad on his biggest night like standing on one foot when he got hurt, holding his chin high in the air vs the taller man and generally fighting the way Klitschko wanted him to fight instead of getting back to his jab. When Joshua begins to find the range I don’t see this one lasting too long to be honest

Ortiz is a good fight. I can picture the Cuban winning this if Joshua hasn’t learnt his lessons from the Klitschko fight. In particularly like going for broke and emptying his own gas tank when he has his guy hurt. For Ortiz to take advantage of this he will need Joshua to unload on him first and for that to happen Joshua has to see that he has Ortiz hurt. Given the quality of Ortiz, I don’t think there will be many opportunities for Joshua to unload on him. The likelihood is that the Brit will just win the rounds behind his jab and 1,2 without risking getting countered by the crafty veteran. Had Ortiz got his shot afew years ago I think he would’ve become champ but hes abit old now. Joshua on points in that one.

Wilder is the big fight. I don’t really rate Deontay but Ive always thought if someone taught him the basics of boxing and how to utilise the physical gifts he’s got, hed be a very hard man to beat. Hes athletic, got a great reach. Doesn’t appear to gas and if he learnt to control fights behind a strong left hand he would be the goods. My problem with him is he is afraid to step up in class to really test himself and in terms of his style technically he doesn’t throw his punches correctly. Hes not pretty to watch with his windmill punches and if he fights scared vs Joshua in that fashion he’d be blown away. It’s a hard fight to call because with Joshuas added weight hes abit stiff and there’s questions marks over his own chin as Dylan Whyte was able to wobble him momentarily. Even though I lean towards Joshua winning vs Wilder at the moment I do think that with a good trainer and exposure to a higher level of opponent, Wilder could turn out to be the best thing in the division. Like Fury before him, if guys can’t land on him, the awkward gangly style can work to his advantage and the Deontay does have the power to fall back on when needed. Fingers crossed this goes ahead next summer and Ill be interested to see Wilders opponents between now as it may change my mind on his chances. Right now I don’t think hes ready for Joshua.