Carlos Takam has replaced Kubrat Pulev as the challenger to world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on 28 October after a shoulder injury forced the Bulgarian to withdraw.

Pulev had been the mandatory challenger to the IBF and WBA champion but the 36-year-old Bulgarian will miss out on the world title fight in Cardiff after hurting his shoulder while sparring.

The Frenchman Takam, also 36, will replace him with less than two weeks’ notice, meaning Pulev will face a long wait to fight Joshua after also losing his status as mandatory challenger with the IBF.

“It’s difficult for AJ. Having prepared meticulously for the style and height of Pulev, he now faces a completely different style and challenge in Takam,” said Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn. “This hasn’t happened in his career before but he is ready for all comers.

“When the Pulev fight was announced I made a deal with Takam’s team to begin [training] camp and be on standby for this fight. When I called them this evening they were overjoyed and good to go.”

It was reported in Bulgaria that Pulev could yet challenge Joshua in November or December, but Matchroom has already sold more than 70,000 tickets for the scheduled fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The venue is also committed to hosting the Wales rugby union team’s autumn internationals on consecutive Saturdays from 11 November to 2 December.

Takam is considered a less challenging opponent for Joshua than the taller Pulev, having previously lost to WBO champion Joseph Parker, Russia’s Alexander Povetkin and the little-known Gregory Tony.

Joshua is planning to fight higher-profile opponents in 2018, when WBC champion Deontay Wilder, Parker and David Haye – should he win his rematch with Tony Bellew in December – will be among his targets.