ANTHONY JOSHUA has reportedly flown back to Texas to start training for a December return fight.
AJ most recently knocked out Robert Helenius in August after seven rounds and looked on course to face Deontay Wilder next.
But after talks with Saudi Arabian backers broke down, promoter Eddie Hearn warned the blockbuster faces postponement.
And Hearn revealed AJ could instead be back in an interim bout in December after targeting March or April for a fight with Wilder.
Hearn's Matchroom stable are eyeing a December 23 bill in Abu Dhabi for Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn's grudge match.
So it could mean Joshua squeezes on the UNDERCARD which would be his first non main-event since 2015.
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According to DAZN's Ade Oladipo, Joshua, 34, has gone back to Dallas to start training camp with coach Derrick James.
Hearn previously revealed how Joshua could fight on the night touted for Eubank and Benn's blockbuster.
He said: "It could go on December 23, maybe even as well."
Joshua could also turn his attention to IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic, 31, as an alternative to Wilder, 37.
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Tyson Fury, 35, and Oleksandr Usyk, 36, have signed for an undisputed title decider in Saudi Arabia.
So Hrgovic is in line to fight for the IBF "interim" belt which guarantees him a shot at the champion.
Or he will inherit the full title if the victor of the unification was to be stripped or vacated.
Hearn wants Joshua in a build-up fight before moving onto either Wilder or an IBF title shot.
He revealed:"I think realistically December/January will be the date for his next fight, and then he’ll fight Deontay Wilder or he’ll fight for the IBF world heavyweight title.
"He wants to become heavyweight champion, he wants to fight Deontay Wilder, he wants to fight Tyson Fury.
"But he also wants to stay active, and that’s what he’s asked me to do to try and get him in the ring as soon as possible.”
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