JOE JOYCE claims that Luis Ortiz, a heavyweight opponent to him, turned down a fight because he didn’t want the smoke.
After his victory over Daniel Dubois in last year's final, the 36-year-old Brit now awaits his chance at the world title.
Joyce (left), still holds a perfect professional record after turning over in 2017.
Joyce, who was awarded a silver medal in the 2016 Olympic Games, has to wait as Joshua prepares for Oleksandr Usyk's fight on Saturday night, and possibly Tyson Fury.
Joyce has to keep himself active as a result. His last fight was against Carlos Takam in July, in which he won the sixth round.
He spoke to iFL TV and said that he was just training and waiting for his fight date. I should be out by the end of this year. You will soon be able to work on your fitness and get stronger.
"That was an option [to face Joseph Parker], but he is now going to fight Derek Chisora and there were some other names.
"[Luis] Ortiz was mentioned but I'm not certain he wants the smoke. There are many other names in the area. We'll see if we can find other names.
BETTING SPECIAL - GET JOSHUA TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6 AT 60/1 OR ANYTIME AT 25/1
"Adam or Sam [Joyce’s managers] would be the best people to talk to." That's what I remember in my head as the opponents."
Joyce responded directly to a question about Ortiz's refusal to fight for him and said: "Yeah." He didn't want to fight."
Cuban Ortiz won 32 of his 34 professional fights. His only loss came at the hands Deontay Wilder.
Ex-world champion Wilder defeated Fury in 10 rounds of their 2018 fight.
The two teams then matched up again at the end 2019, with Wilder winning the seventh round.
Joyce, an Arsenal fan, also said that he would like to face Joshua at London's Emirates Stadium.
He simply replied, "That's the plan."
Joshua will face Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This stadium is home to Arsenal's rivals Spurs.
Free Bets: Get more than PS2,000 in NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
