Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) could very well lose his IBF world title before a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko in the fall.

Last April, before a crowd of 90,000 fans at Wembley, Joshua stopped Klitschko in eleven rounds to unify the IBF, WBA, IBO world titles.

Joshua had to overcome a knockdown in the sixth and some tense moments afterwards, to score two knockdowns of his own before stopping Klitschko in the eleventh.

There was a rematch clause in the contract, which Klitschko is apparently going to execute.

The IBF's annual convention is taking place this week. Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, has applied for a special exemption for Joshua to be allowed to fight Klitschko - and the winner would have to face Pulev.

But, Pulev's people have objected to Joshua's special exemption request - and now it's up to the IBF to make a ruling on the matter - unless all three sides are able to reach an agreement on the matter.

The WBA has already given their blessing to the Joshua vs. Klitschko rematch. The WBA mandatory challenger is hard punching Cuban fighter Luis Ortiz, who also wants to get his hands on Joshua.

“It is the IBF convention this week and we have put in a special exemption request to fight Klitschko next as we will with the WBA but that is a little bit more clear. We will be allowed a special acceptation request with the WBA but whether we will be allowed one with the IBF, who knows. We want to fight Klitschko next and the noise from the their camp is that is going to happen, and it will be discussed over the next few weeks," Hearn told The Express.

“If Anthony doesn’t fight Klitschko he will fight Pulev who isn’t going to go away. Pulev's people have objected to the special exemption request.”