Anthony Joshua could avoid his mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in a bid to secure an all-British clash with Tyson Fury, the Bulgarian heavyweight’s promoter has revealed.

Joshua was set to fight Pulev at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20 before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted those plans.

And while it remains likely that fight will be re-scheduled for later in the year, Pulev’s promoter Ivaylo Gotzev has warned AJ’s team not to sidestep them as it will then become a legal matter.

Gotzev told Press Box PR: "That's something that they have always contemplated at their end (taking the Fury fight instead). But that door will be closed with a lawsuit if they break our deal and our contract.

"There are some very good attorneys in England and some very fair courts, so it will come down to whether they want to decide whether they want that or not.

"I do believe AJ and his promoter will do the right thing and do as they say and finalise the deal. Through blood sweat and tears Kubrat earned his position to challenge AJ. Will they overrule his rights, can they all overrule his rights? That's entirely up to them if they want to try that.

"They should respect the rules of the IBF. There's a signed agreement. We are in the final stages of closing the deal, which we are extremely happy with.

"We're adjusting the original contract and it's finally going in the right direction that keeps both sides happy.

"It's now up to Eddie to conclude their part. Our signature will come a lot easier than theirs."

This is the third time Joshua and Pulev are trying to negotiate a fight date after they were originally due to meet at Wembley Stadium in October 2017 before the Bulgarian suffered an injury and Carlos Takam stepped in.

Meanwhile, Fury is still contractually obligated to grant former WBC champion Deontay Wilder a trilogy bout following his seventh round victory over the American back in February.