Anthony Joshua open to facing Luis Ortiz next year

Undefeated Anthony Joshua has targeted a bout with Luis Ortiz at some stage in 2017 should he first navigate his way past Eric Molina and Wladimir Klitschko.

The 27-year-old will defend his IBF heavyweight title for a second time when facing Molina in Manchester on December 10, six months on from overcoming Dominic Breazeale to keep his perfect record intact.

Joshua had hoped to face Klitschko in his next outing but an injury picked up by the Ukrainian has pushed that back until the New Year, though the British heavyweight ace is already looking further down the line.

Asked about Ortiz, he told Sky Sports News: "I see how that is going to unfold. That's another fight, for me, that is no problem. Hopefully I defeat Klitschko and then I can fight Luis Ortiz.

"I will be watching him for sure because he is a competitor in the division that I could face sooner or later, so I have to put him as a priority. If we fight Ortiz, it would be a good scrap because I like fighting southpaws.

"I've got a powerful right hand that I could whip into the body or straight to the head. It will be a good challenge and a good name to have on the record at some stage, but first let's focus on The Drummer Boy, Eric Molina."

Ortiz is scheduled to fight Malik Scott in Monte Carlo on Saturday evening.