An unexpected name which has arisen over the last week is Australian heavyweight Demsey McKean, with reports stating AJ’s former sparring partner will precede the likely summer showdown against Dillian Whyte.

McKean, speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, reveals no contract has ever been in place, however, though insisting he’s still an option for the former champion – and staying sharp in training in case he does get his shot.

Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring and has been linked with showdown against Demsey McKean

‘I haven’t heard anything just yet, so we’re just waiting to see,’ McCkean told Sportsmail on Thursday evening. ‘Like I’ve said previously, the only way this fight doesn’t get made is because of me being a southpaw.

‘He’s made it quite public that he doesn’t like southpaws, and he hasn’t had the best luck with them recently.’

‘I’ve never been locked into the fight, that’s one thing,’ he continued. ‘I’ve never had a contract or anything like that. It was just leaked that I could be a potential opponent.

‘I know he’s got a new coach; he’s just landed in America. So obviously he’s going to talk with his coach and decide from that. It’s just a waiting game.’

From a Joshua perspective, clever matchmaking is now crucial, following his pair of devastating defeats to Ukrainian mastermind Oleksandr Usyk.

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn – who promotes both Joshua and McKean – has admitted AJ’s career will be ‘over’ should he lose a third consecutive bout in April, though insisting the Briton will fight three times this year as he bids to become a three-time world champion.

Joshua has fallen to back-to-back defeats to Ukrainian mastermind Oleksandr Usyk (right)

Promoter Eddie Hearn (right) has admitted Joshua’s career is ‘over’ if he loses

Joshua is now out in America having decided on a new coach, following his split with Robert Garcia, though no official announcement on who it is has yet been made.

Meanwhile, Hearn has also insisted the fans will be pleased when Joshua’s April opponent does eventually get announced.

So, where does McKean fit in the equation? At 22-0 and ranked No 10 by the WBO and 11 by the IBF, the 6ft 6in southpaw fits Hearn’s ‘top-15’ promise. Also promoted by Matchroom, and having been promised a big fight by Hearn following his October win over Patrick Korte, it’s a fight that could be made in a flash.

But what talks have actually taken place? ‘It’s like, “Would you take the fight?” “Yes I would”,’ McKean explained. ‘Then negotiations obviously continue from that.

‘They’ll probably have other avenue, other opponents they’re looking at as well. Obviously I wouldn’t be the only one – they’re going to keep their options open.

‘AJ’s the one who’s going to call the shots. He’s the top dog, so he’s the one who decides who he’s going to fight.’

McKean was promised a big fight following his victory over Patrick Korte

McKean is aware Joshua and his team could go down another path, with Dillian Whyte, Derek Chisora, Filip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang among his targets should that be the case.

The Australian insists he is owed a big name after missing out on fighting Whyte last year, which he claims is due to being a southpaw. ‘It’s the story of my life,’ he says.

But for now, all McKean can do is keep himself fit and sharp in case he does get the call.

‘I’m just in the gym, staying ready for a fight,’ he said. ‘I’m training twice a day, so regardless of who I’m fighting, March or April are the dates we need to get back out in.

‘Last year I had two fights, and this year I’d like to have three or four and stay active. It’s a waiting game. It’s frustrating, but that’s boxing. There’s a lot of politics in everything involved, but hopefully we have a date announced shortly.’