Former world champion and Sky Sports expert analyst Johnny Nelson has given his take on who IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) should face in the upcoming new year.

It appears that Joshua's next fight will come up against WBO world champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) of New Zealand - likely at the end of March. The two sides are very close to finalizing a deal.

"Joseph Parker is a given for the first one and then I am expecting 'AJ' to win it, but that's when the fun starts," Nelson said to Sky Sports.

Up next, Nelson would like to see Joshua fight his WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin of Russia - of Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria.

Joshua was scheduled to fight Pulev, who was the IBF mandatory challenger, back in October. The fight was canceled when Pulev suffered an injury an withdrew from the fight.

Pulev was replaced by Carlos Takam, who Joshua stopped in the tenth round.

"Chuck in the mandatory then I guess I will have to go for Alexander Povetkin next - although I wouldn't mind if Kubrat Pulev got his chance again," Nelson said.

And his third opponent to cap off 2018?

Nelson says no to WBC champion Deontay Wilder, and no to Tyson Fury.

He wants to see Joshua collide with former two division world champion David Haye.

In order to get there, Haye will have to win his upcoming rematch with Tony Bellew - which takes place on May 5 at the O2 Arena in London.

"But then it comes to the last of the three and everyone will say Fury or Wilder, but I am going to go for David Haye. Yes, that means I see him winning his rematch with Bellew, but after that, him going in against Joshua will be a massive fans' favourite. That, in late summer, what a fight that would be! Haye brings huge support with him, so does 'AJ', and everyone would have an opinion on that one," Nelson said.