ANTHONY JOSHUA’s aspirations to compete for a world title this autumn may soon go up in smoke.

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

Anthony Joshua was in line to fight for the IBF heavyweight title this September.

The winner of Filip Hrgovic vs Daniel Dubois was set to be AJ’s next opponent.

But Oleksandr Usyk’s last-ditch effort to prevent the IBF from stripping him of the belt could jeopardize those intentions.

The American sanctioning body planned to dethrone heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, allowing mandatory challenger Hrgovic to compete for the belt.

Usyk, who defeated Tyson Fury earlier this month, and his camp have made a last-ditch effort to avert the stripping, which might happen in a few days.

Egis Klimas, the Ukrainian’s manager, informed BoxingScene that they are waiting for a decision.

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

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

“I don’t think it’s going to be fair for either of the two guys. Either Tyson Fury or for Oleksandr.

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

“Imagine if Fury wins – he’s not going to be undisputed, so he is losing the chance.

How AJ punched his way to the top

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

From humble origins in Watford to Olympic hero, the boxer has made a heavyweight impact in and out of the ring.

Eddie Hearn claims a collision with rival Tyson Fury could be worth a whopping £200million.

The pair’s bitter feud saw them refuse to say a word to each other as they met Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua has already hinted at when he will hang up his gloves.

And he revealed why his son will NEVER be allowed to box. despite amassing a £215m empire thanks to the sweet science.

AJ enjoys a lavish lifestyle including private jets and a £350k watch.

His career and sponsorship deals have seen him swap his council estate upbringing for a luxury car collection.

London hairdresser Kika Osunde is believed to have swept the KO king off his feet.

But Joshua still lives with his mum Yeta when he is not on the road.

“The rematch, the clause, was so both guys had the chance to be undisputed.

“I hope the IBF are going to make the right decision.”

Should the IBF perform a U-turn and allow 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 into the coffin of Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh’s plans for AJ to face the winner of Hgrovic vs Dubois for the red strap.

Alalshikh revealed those plans earlier this month, saying during an appearance on The MMA Hour: “We have Joshua’s fight in September, it all depends on the result of the Hrgovic fight [with Dubois].

“Because now we have locked Wilder to Jared Anderson in the card in Los Angeles.”

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

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

“It’s gonna be in London, Wembley Stadium.

“This is what I’m being told. If that’s what they say, they normally back their word so let’s go with that.

“Wembley, September 20 or 21.”