Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko Title Fight Sanctioned by WBA for 2017

Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko have been sanctioned to fight for the WBA heavyweight title in the spring of 2017, but the Brit must first successfully defend his IBF title against Eric Molina in December. 

Sky Sports News HQ confirmed the news and relayed some reaction from Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn:

The WBA belt was vacated by Tyson Fury last month. Joshua, 27, and Klitschko, 40, almost sealed a bout for next month but talks stalled over confusion as to whether the WBA title would be on the line, according to Hearn, per BBC Sport's Patrick Jennings.

Klitschko's manager, Bernd Boente, claimed the original deal fell through because the respective teams "ran out of time," to make the fight per Jennings.

Joshua will now defend his IBF title for the second time since claiming it against Charles Martin in April 2016—he subsequently beat Dominic Breazeale in June.

American Molina lost his only previous world title fight, a clash with Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight belt in 2015.

Per ESPN's Nigel Collins, Molina will be a significant underdog against Joshua given his previous record:

The Englishman has won all 17 of his professional bouts by knockout and is surely now on a collision course with Klitschko for next year.

The Ukrainian veteran has not fought since he lost his WBA, IBF and WBO titles to Fury in November last year, having seen two scheduled rematches postponed.

With Fury now sidelined, Joshua is arguably the most high-profile opponent available for Klitschko to fight, and he will be desperate to prove next year that he still has what it takes to beat the best young talents the heavyweight division has to offer.