ANDY RUIZ Jr could reportedly be stripped of his IBF world title if he agrees to the rematch with Anthony Joshua next.

The Mexican delivered one of boxing's biggest ever shocks when he battered the previously unbeaten Joshua to a seventh-round KO in June.

3 Andy Ruiz could be stripped of his IBF world title if he chooses not to fight the organisations's mandatory challenger Credit: Reuters

There was immediate talk of a rematch clause being inserted into the fight contract, with AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn saying that it will happen in November or December.

But World Boxing News reports that there could be a spanner thrown into the works - Kubrat Pulev.

The Bulgarian is back after a boxing ban for kissing a reporter was lifted following completion of a sexual harassment prevention class.

And after winning two bouts to be the IBF's mandatory challenger the 38-year-old is ready to stake his claim for that belt.

If the IBF calls for that to happen, it would either push back the Joshua versus Ruiz rematch, or the Mexican could relinquish or even be stripped of the strap.

We’ve been waiting patiently. The time is now. Bob Arum, Pulev's promoter

The IBF famously stripped Tyson Fury of the belt when he decided to accept a much more lucrative rematch against Wladimir Klitschko rather than face then-mandatory Vyacheslav Glazkov.

And Team Pulev are going all out to get the IBF to give the call for their man to step forward.

Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank, which co-promotes Pulev along with Epic Sports said: “We’ve been waiting patiently. The time is now.

"Andy Ruiz has an obligation to fight No1 mandatory IBF contender Kubrat Pulev.”

Most Read In Boxing Revealed CHUMP CHANGE Dillian Whyte claims he earned £300 for beating Anthony Joshua in amateurs 'CAPTAIN HOOK' Tyson Fury shows off power and works on hooks ahead of Wilder trilogy fight TY HARDER Tyson Fury teases 'power house' Anthony Joshua over explosive punch power video OUT THE SHADOWS Watch McGregor shadow box in huge hint that fighting icon is coming back GEORGE FORECAST Wilder can easily beat Fury, but doesn’t hit as hard as Tyson, says Foreman Exclusive BIG IDEAS LikkleMan aiming to be become huge PPV boxing star at just 3ft tall

And Pulev himself added: “I was ready to face Anthony Joshua in November. Now I’m eager to challenge Andy Ruiz.

"I will fight Ruiz anywhere in the world. Let’s make it happen.”

SunSport reported that the plan is still for Joshua to rematch Ruiz - with promoter Hearn mentioning Cardiff as the preferred venue for this.

3 Kubrat Pulev is the IBF's mandatory challenger and is ready for his shot at greatness Credit: AP:Associated Press