Anthony Joshua has the heavyweight division at his feet right now and everyone is queuing up for a fight.

The IBF and WBA world champion will exchange blows with Carlos Takam on October 28 in a mandatory title defence viewed by many as a foregone conclusion. Original challenger Kubrat Pulev was forced to pull out last week after picking up a shoulder injury.

Takam has a mixed record of 27-3 having recently lost a title shot to Joseph Parker and few fans will forget the mess Alexander Povetkin made of him in 2014.

Consequently, almost everyone involved with Joshua is already looking to 2018 with a planned three fights if Takam is defeated at the Principality Stadium.

Tyson Fury has recently expressed his desire to 'beat the bully', Pulev will undoubtedly look for a second shot when fit, David Haye fancies his chances if he KOs Tony Bellew and Dillian Whyte is itching for a rematch.

The amount of potential fights is both staggering and exciting.

Arguably the most anticipated fight, however, proves a unification bout with Deontay Wilder. The American has an enviable record of 38-0 - including 37 knockouts - and holds WBC belt.

Wilder has already called out Joshua in a series of social media rants and, assuming he defeats Bermane Stiverne in November, has his heart set on flooring AJ in the states.

Nevertheless, Team Joshua have been less enthusiastic. Joshua has admitted that a Wilder clash could happen as late as 2020, remains skeptical of fighting in the USA and Eddie Hearn believes the American needs another big match first.

It's frustrating for boxing fans excited at the prospect of unification but Hearn has thrown an olive branch in outlining what Wilder needs to do to secure the fight in 2018.

It seems negotiations are completely out of the question until Wilder budges on his monetary demands and agrees to a 50-50 purse.

Having contacted the American just this week, Hearn explained: "The deal in Wilder’s head is a 50-50 split but over my dead body is that ever happening.

"He hasn’t had a serious fight yet and he needs to fight someone real before he can start making demands.

"I want him to fight Dillian Whyte at the O2 on February 3.

"That would be an absolute tear-up. AJ would buy a ringside seat for that."

Whyte v Wilder would certainly be an exciting fight but - unless Joshua nabs Parker's WBO belt in the meantime - would just delay the inevitable. Come on Eddie, make it happen.

Who do you think is the best heavyweight fighter in world boxing? Have your say in the comments section below.