By Ryan Burton

Yesterday in an article on BoxingScene.com, WBA, IBF, IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua said that he has no problems facing his WBA mandatory Luis Ortiz - but only after he faces his IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev.

Ortiz's team has been pushing for the fight against Joshua, insisting that the WBA guaranteed them that they were next after stepping aside to allow Wladimir Klitschko to face Anthony Joshua in April.

Joshua's comments brought a chuckle from Ortiz and he had this response for Joshua:

"I had to laugh buddy because after reading what you said it shows a lot about you and your pride to fight the best. In your own words you say you will get stripped of the WBA belt if you don't fight me, if the WBA enforces their rule - and those are your words," Ortiz told BoxingScene.com.

"So what's funny is why not just let them strip you of the IBF and come face me? You can say and trick the public all you like but I know the truth and maybe you really don't want to face me, maybe your promoters are pushing you another route and that's as far away from me as possible but at the end we both know we make the last call. I'd love to face you for belts and I mean belts.

"You say in your article it's over money. I think if you fight Pulev then you're the one looking for a payday and at the end the public will know this. Pulev will last about two rounds. I don't kid the American public. Sell that joke in the U.K. with your promoters. The ball is in your hands little buddy."

Ortiz's manager Jay Jimenez reiterated that they are contractually entitled to facing Joshua next.

"Luis wants Joshua and (Joshua) knew what he was signing and for him to know he is not just a mandatory for him but that as a condition to his agreement when he fought Klitschko for the WBA belt he has to fight him. There is a big difference. (Gilberto) Mendoza himself said it plenty of times and it's in the WBA resolutions and you never objected so quit the games and let's do this," said Jimenez.

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