Anthony Joshua has teased fans he could return to the ring before Christmas to face Kubrat Pulev in their rearranged world heavyweight title match.

The Brit was set to face his IBF mandatory challenger in June before a proposed date with Tyson Fury to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion.

However, the outbreak of COVID-19 saw the fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium scrapped and postponed indefinitely.

Yet Joshua has given the clearest indication so far that fans are in for a Christmas cracker whilst commentating during Dillian Whyte’s fight against Alexander Povetkin.

He told Sky Sports: “There’s a potential date in December.

“I’d fight today, but we’ve got to wait till December.”

Whyte’s world title dream was left in tatters as Alexander Povetkin inflicted a second career defeat on him with a sensational fifth-round knock-out.

Whyte had dominated the opening four rounds and twice sent the 40-year-old Russian to the canvas.

But Povetkin turned the fight on its head with a ferocious left uppercut that ended the fight in an instant.

Whyte, the WBC’s number one contender for over two years, knew he could not afford any mistakes behind closed doors at Matchroom HQ in Essex.

The prize of meeting the winner of the trilogy fight between current champion Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder was on the line.

Fury’s stunning win over Wilder led to calls for an all-British mega-fight between him and Joshua.

A two-fight blockbuster clash between the two has now been agreed but first, Fury must overcome Wilder after a third fight between the pair was booked.

Joshua, meanwhile, will look to warm up for his showdown with Fury by taking on the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Pulev, in his next bout.

Despite Whyte’s devastating defeat to Povetkin at Matchroom Fight Camp in Essex, former foe Joshua has backed the Brixton man to bounce back into title contention.

“Dillian spent months and months in Portugal training and something like that can happen,” he added.

“But I feel like the training doesn’t add up to this fight with Povektin, he’s got another how many years in the sport.

“This is just a blip in the career. People are going to talk all sorts of stuff about Dillian.

“Dillian is a fighter, I stick with him as fighter and say, ‘dust yourself off, get back up, and go again.”

The location for the clash between Joshua and Pulev remains a mystery, despite the success of hosting fights at Matchroom HQ

Hearn said: “By November, can we go to 16,000 people at the O2? Right now, we’re handcuffed by the regulations.

“Other ideas we have are 1,000 people somewhere strange and quirky. I’ve got a few things up my sleeve. We’re talking about castles, plush hotels, maybe even on a boat.

“Croatia have offered a coliseum — and that’s beautiful —and we’re still open to options and flexible.

“These are all things thinking outside of the box — it just depends what’s allowed.”

Joshua vs Pulev: What about Tyson Fury?

It has been confirmed that Joshua will face Fury in two all-British blockbuster bouts in 2021 providing he comes through his clash with Pulev.

It is understood that the two camps have been in talks over an undisputed title bout since early May.

Hearn said: “It’s fair to say [Joshua and Fury] are in agreement regarding the financial terms.

“We’re in a good place. It’s fair to say that, in principle, both guys have agreed to that fight. Two fights.”

Meanwhile, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, said: “The only way it could not happen is if one of the guys gets beat.

“Every one wants it to happen. For me this will be the biggest sporting event in this country with these fighters – four belts on the line, two Brits fighting for the world title, both champions. This is just mega. I think it’ll be the biggest sporting event in this country since England won the World Cup in ’66.

“[Fury’s] really happy… it’s something he wants, something he’s wanted for a long, long time.

“I think it’s a great fight for both of them and for fans in this country and round the world.

“It’s not going to get any more competitive than this.”

Joshua vs Pulev: Tale of the tape

Joshua – Pulev

Nationality: British – Bulgarian

Age: 30 – 39

Height: 6ft 6 – 6ft 4

Stance: Orthodox – Orthodox

Reach: 82in – 79in

Record: 23-1-0 – 28-1-0

KOs: 21 – 14

Rounds: 103 – 203

Debut: 10/05/2013 – 19/9/2009

Nickname: AJ – The Cobra