Joshua defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. in a rematch in December 2019 to reclaim his unified heavyweight titles. Later that month, the WBO ordered Joshua to enter negotiations with their mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk. The following day, the IBF also ordered Joshua to face their mandatory challenger, Kubrat Pulev.[6] Due to the IBF initially ordering Joshua to face Pulev in early 2019, before the rematch with Ruiz,[7] it was determined that Pulev would be first in line with Usyk set to face the winner.[8] After an original date in June was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[9] Joshua defeated Pulev via ninth-round TKO in December 2020.[10] After the victory, Joshua was asked in the post-fight interview about the prospect of an undisputed fight with Fury, Joshua said, "I want a challenge.