Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua will not take on Wladimir Klitschko until 2017 after the Ukrainian suffered an injury in training.

Joshua was hoping to face the former undisputed champion at the Manchester Arena on December 10, but doubts started to creep in last week.

Klitschko wanted to fight for Joshua’s IBF strap as well as the WBA crown, with reports suggesting he was planning to take on Lucas Browne in Germany instead.

Hearn had still hoped to secure the fight for the British fans but he has now revealed that the two will meet in 2017, with both belts set to be on the line.

Klitschko has reportedly injured his calf during a training camp and Hearn has said Joshua will still defend his title at the start of December.

He told Sky Sports: “We’ve been in deep negotiations for a few weeks now waiting on the decision from the WBA.

“I was made aware that Wladimir picked up a minor injury late last week but regardless of that, with just over six weeks to go until December 10, it’s unrealistic to put together a fight of this magnitude and give it the full build up it deserves.

“There will be an official announcement on Joshua v Klitschko coming very soon but for now we are seeking a new foe for December 10 and building a huge card for Manchester.

“We decided with Bernd Boente [Klitschko’s promoter], let’s get this over the line now for March or April.”