Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has rediscovered the 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁er instinct that made him a household name and quickly re-established himself as a top three contender in the heavyweight division, and now ‘AJ’ has been given a big update on his chance of becoming world champion again in his next fight.

Oleksandr Usyk triumphed over Tyson Fury to become boxing’s first ever undisputed four-belt heavyweight champion, etching his name into the history books with a legendary win against ‘The Gypsy King’. However, the IBF have been patiently waiting to strip the Ukrainian of his belt, after failures to fight mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.

As a result, it was highly anticipated that the vacant IBF world title would be up for grabs in the upcoming heavyweight showdown between Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois.

Although, at the Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall II press conference, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn explained that Usyk’s victory may have caused complications with the belt and the short turnaround between the two contests leads him to believe that Joshua will instead fight the winner of Hrgovic-Dubois for the vacant strap.

“It’s all happening a little bit quick if I am honest. For a decision to be made [by] next Saturday, I am not so sure [that the IBF title will be on the line].

“I think if it was Tyson Fury, obviously Frank Warren has got a close relationship there to be able to have a direct conversation with him and say ‘look Tyson, you are going to have to give this belt up, do you mind doing it now so that these guys can fight for the belt?’. That conversation has got to be had with Alex Krassyuk and Usyk, which might not happen as quickly.

“One thing is for sure, I think that when Usyk next fights, the IBF [title] will not be in his possession, but when it becomes available is one for the lawyers and the e-mail chain.

“Yeah, absolutely the winner of Dubois against Hrgovic is the definite frontrunner to fight Anthony Joshua next but honestly anything can happen.”

Hrgovic-Dubois will go ahead on Saturday June 1st, as a part of the ‘Matchroom versus Queensberry’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a tantalising 50/50 clash.

Meanwhile, Joshua has been touted to headline a card at Wembley Stadium in September, where he will likely face the winner of Hrgovic-Dubois or possibly even long-term rival Deontay Wilder – should the American upset the odds and defeat Zhilei Zhang next weekend.

Elsewhere on the card, Nick Ball will take on Raymond Ford for the WBA featherweight title, Hamzah Sheeraz faces Ammo Williams in an intriguing affair and Willy Hutchinson goes toe-to-toe with Craig Richards in an all-British battle.

Finally, Dmitry Bivol will defend his WBA light-heavyweight title against undefeated Malik Zinad – after Artur Beterbiev withdrew due to injury.