Anthony Joshua’s world title hopes are on fire as Brit could be forced to wait longer to regain belt

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S plans to fight for the world title this autumn could soon go up in smoke.

The former two-time unified heavyweight champion was on track to compete for the IBF title at Wembley in September against the winner of this weekend’s Saudi showdown between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois.

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That’s because the American sanctioning body was set to strip the belt from undisputed heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk so mandatory challenger Hrgovic could finally challenge for the belt.

But Usyk – who defeated Britain’s Tyson Fury earlier this month – and his team made a last-ditch effort to avoid removal, which could happen in a matter of days.

The Ukrainian’s coach, Egis Klimas, said boxing scene: “We are waiting for a decision to be made.

“I think it’s more important for Tyson Fury now, not for Oleksandr.

“Oleksandr, of course, is twice unified [champion at cruiserweight and heavyweight] and if the next the fight is just for the three belts.

“I don’t think it will be fair to either guy. Whether for Tyson Fury or Oleksandr.

“But as far as importance goes, I think it’s more important for Team Fury to win this title.

“Imagine if Fury wins – he won’t be undisputed, so he’s missing his chance.

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How AJ got to the top

ANTHONY JOSHUA clawed his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.

“The rematch, the clause, was so that both of them would have the chance to be undisputed.

“I hope the IBF makes the right decision.”

If the IBF does a U-turn and allows Usyk to keep the belt, the southpaw’s October rematch with Fury will be for all the heavyweight marbles.

It will also put a nail in the coffin of Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh’s plans for AJ to face the winner of Hgrovic vs. Dubois for the red belt.

Alalshikh revealed these plans earlier this month, saying during an appearance on The MMA Time: “We have the Joshua fight in September, everything depends on the result of the Hrgovic fight [with Dubois].

“Because now we lock Wilder with Jared Anderson on the card in Los Angeles.”

Joshua – who is riding high on a four-fight winning streak – revealed last month that he would be back in the ring in September.

He told talkSPORT: “Whenever they tell me there’s a date, you know I’ll be 100% ready.

“It will be in London, at Wembley Stadium.

“That’s what they told me. If that’s what they say, they usually stand by their word, so let’s move on.

“Wembley, September 20th or 21st.”