WBA sanction 'super' fight between Klitschko and Joshua

Anthony Joshua will face Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA 'super' world heavyweight title in 2017 - providing the Briton defeats Eric Molina in December.

The WBA confirmed on Tuesday night it had sanctioned a showdown between reigning IBF holder Joshua and dethroned champion Klitschko next spring.

Tyson Fury defeated Klitschko 12 months ago and twice withdrew from scheduled rematches with the Ukrainian before vacating the belt last month due to the need to "fully focus on his medical treatment and recovery."

Undefeated Joshua, however, must first emerge victorious from his Sky Sports Box Office title defence against Molina on December 10.

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed a deal is already in place and said he will now work with Klitschko's manager Bernd Boente regarding a date and venue of their clash.

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"It was beautiful to finally see the WBA's decision last night finally allowing the Joshua v Klitschko fight for the spring," Hearn told Sky Sports.

"The deal is in place and we can now move forward with Bernd and their team to start confirming dates and venues.

"The only thing in AJ's way is Eric Molina and the full focus must be on the toughest fight of his career on December 10 in Manchester. Wladimir will be ringside with his fingers crossed and victory for AJ will set up this mega fight in March/April 2017."

Klitschko (64-4-KO54) will return to the ring for the first time since suffering his shock points defeat to Fury in Germany.

"Team Klitschko is very happy about this WBA resolution," Boente told ESPN. "Wladimir always was a proud and committed WBA 'super' champion and now he wants to regain his title. From the beginning, Wladimir made clear how important it is to him that the WBA title is on the line in his next fight.

"Hopefully, Anthony Joshua wins his upcoming fight against Molina and then we have a mega event, a promoter's dream fight coming true in March or April. Two Olympic super heavyweight gold-medal winners fighting each other, the young lion challenging the old lion. This is a fight each boxing fan around the world wants to see."

The WBA also ordered that Australia's Lucas Browne face American Shannon Briggs for the 'regular' heavyweight title on or before December 31, and that the winner fight Fres Oquendo as a mandatory defence within 120 days.