Anthony Joshua has been ordered to fight Luis Ortiz for the WBA World Heavyweight Title, a statement from the World Boxing Association has confirmed.

There is 30 days to reach an agreement between the Brit and the Cuban before the fight will be decided on purse bids.

Joshua's schedule has finally opened up after Wladimir Klitschko made a decision on their long-anticipated rematch.

Despite the British camp offering everything they could - including a highly profitable Vegas location - the Ukrainian officially retired from boxing earlier this week.

The retirement meant that the IBF mandatory challenger Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev became next in line to face the British World Champion, but now the WBA are putting their man in front of Joshua.

The decision officially came in January, when the WBA announced that Ortiz would have 120 days to face the winner of the huge April clash between Joshua and Klitschko at Wembley Stadium.

The potential of Joshua vs Klitschko II put everything on hold, but with that now off the cards, the January resolution has moved back into place.

The WBA announced the plans in a statement on their website, saying: "According to the resolution sent on January 11th, 2017, to both parties, it was reported that the winner of the Joshua-Klitschko fight, held on April 29th, 2017, had to face Ortiz after 120 days. 

"95 days have passed and, for this reason, the Championships Committee ordered to negotiate a fight between the British and Cuban boxers.

"Both parties were duly notified that, as of August 3rd, they have 30 days to reach an agreement or the fight will be called to purse bids."

And, the original plans of a Las Vegas fight may not be completely abandoned.

Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn have both been in Vegas to plan for a November 11 fight against Klitschko.

The Cuban's camp, however, are more than happy to step up to the lucrative location.

"We are next," Ortiz's manager told boxingscene.com.

"We have no problem fighting on that date of November 11th in Las Vegas. Our mandatory takes precedence over Pulev's and they know that."