Anthony Joshua says latest OBE medal inspires him to want to become undisputed world champion in 2019

NIGERIAN-born world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has revealed that the Order of the British Empire (OBE) honour granted to him yesterday will spur him on to become the undisputed heavyweight boxer in 2019.

Yesterday, Joshua, 29,  who currently holds the World Boxing Organisation (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) belts, was awarded an OBE by Prince Charles in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. He now wants to add the World Boxing Confederation (WBC) belt to this by beating Deontay Wilder next year and become the holder of every belt in the division.

Five years ago, Joshua was awarded an MBE in 2013 after claiming Olympic gold at London 2012 and yesterday, the same prince Charles handed him his latest award. Promoter Eddie Hearn said he wants his client’s next fight to be signed and sealed by early January as the clock ticks down on the heavyweight’s proposed return to the ring.

Joshua is due to fight at Wembley on April 13 but the controversial draw between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury in Los Angeles earlier this month has thrown his plans to fight the winner for the WBA belt into disarray. Hearn insists a clash with WBC champion Wilder for the undisputed crown remains their number one priority.

However, with Wilder expected to face Fury in a rematch, the winner of Saturday’s rematch between Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora in London is the current frontrunner to face Joshua in April. Mr Hearn has also admitted American heavyweight Jarrell Miller is now a viable option for a fight against Joshua in the US with New York’s Madison Square Garden and Brooklyn’s Barclays Centre considered potential venues.

Joshua said: "Every fighter is my biggest challenge. They're definitely big challenges and I would love to fight them in the next 12 months, I would love to."

He added that it was important to fight the WBC winner within the next 12 months so he can have a chance of becoming undisputed champion. According to Joshua, if Wilder is serious, then they will definitely keep April as the date to fight each other.