ANTHONY JOSHUA wants Cuban veteran Luis Ortiz to replace Jarrell Miller on June 1, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
Unified heavyweight world champion Joshua, defends his WBA, IBF and WBO belts at New York’s Madison Square Garden is six weeks.
He was meant to defend his trio of world titles against American Miller – however, this week it was revealed the Brooklyner failed three Voluntary Anti Doping Agency test.
Miller was subsequently denied a boxing license in New York and Joshua & Co have been scrambling to find a new dance partner.
Cuban veteran Ortiz, who gave WBC champ Deontay Wilder trouble in March 2017 before being stopped in round 10, is the favoured choice for AJ, Hearn told Sky Sports.
Hearn said: “I’ve got a short list of around five or six, I just saw a press release saying that Michael Hunter is confirmed, that’s absolutely not true.
“To be honest with you I think Anthony Joshua’s choice is Luis Ortiz.
“I think he wants to make a statement, I think every time you mention that fight, everyone has the same reaction, ‘are you sure,’ southpaw, six weeks before the fight.’
“I just think Anthony wants to make a statement. He [Ortiz] is dangerous, we’ve got to speak to (trainer) Rob McCracken – it’s not ideal.
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“He’s [Ortiz] got to accept the fight, there are some minor talks after he initially ruled himself out but there’s a whole list of other guys as well.”
The list Hearn refers to features the aforementioned Hunter, who caused an upset win against Joshua’s sparring partner Martin Bakole last year and has only been defeated by cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
Heavyweight contenders Adam Kownacki and Kubrat Pulev have been ruled out of the running – but WBA ‘Regular’ champion Mahmoud Charr.
