Luis Ortiz has predicted a knockout win over Anthony Joshua “within eight rounds”, if he is confirmed as the next challenger for the IBF, IBO and WBA world champion.

The Cuban boxer who is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s newly acquired WBA ‘super’ belt, told boxingscene.com that Wladimir Klitschko exposed weaknesses that he would have taken advantage of.

“I feel more than ever that I will KO Joshua within eight rounds. I saw weakness, I saw a fighter that can be dropped with one punch.

“I also feel that after Klitschko dropped Joshua with one punch, Eddie Hearn will never let Joshua get in the ring with me.

“To me, Klitschko let him off the hook. I wouldn’t have, I would have had him out of there in that sixth round,” he said.

The 38-year-old however thinks Joshua is trying to avoid him, choosing to pick a fight with fellow Briton Tyson Fury.

Former champion Klitschko also has a rematch clause with the new WBA champion.