Eddie Hearn adamant Anthony Joshua will be fighting on December 10

EDDIE HEARN is adamant IBF champ Anthony Joshua will be in action on December 10 — with or without Wladimir Klitschko.

Joshua, 27, has agreed to a heavyweight showdown with the veteran Ukrainian at the Manchester Arena.

But Klitschko, 40, is unwilling to sign on the dotted line until the fate of the vacant WBA Super title is decided.

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And that has left Hearn with little choice but to explore alternatives for undefeated AJ.

He told Sky Sports: "With the hold up from the WBA, we need a little more time, so regardless of if it's Klitschko or not, AJ will return on December 10 in Manchester.

"We are beginning discussions with other opponents now while crossing our fingers that Klitschko takes the fight, regardless of how many belts are on the line.

"In an ideal world, there would be as many belts as possible on the line, but I hope he takes up the challenge rather than a soft touch in Germany."

While Joshua is ready and willing to fight Klitschko with just his IBF championship on the line, the division's former kingpin has made it clear he wants a shot at the WBA gold vacated by Tyson Fury.

Klitschko could fight for that title in adopted home country Germany and would seemingly prefer that option to taking on AJ.

Although the chances now appear slim, Hearn wants the WBA to sanction Joshua-Klitschko instead and is waiting on a ruling from the governing body.

Unbeaten Fury, 28, ripped the WBA, WBO and IBF belts from Klitschko’s grasp on points last November.

But the troubled Gypsy King, who was stripped by the IBF shortly after dethroning Klitschko, relinquished his remaining titles last week.