Joshua has been linked to facing numerous opponents on December 10 in Manchester, whilst the boxing world is awaiting news from the WBA of a proposed request to sanction a unification fight with Wladimir Klitschko.
Despite just six weeks remaining until Joshua takes to the ring at Manchester Arena, the IBF have nothing official regarding a fight in the UK and have heard the same rumours as everyone else regarding Klitschko.
“We have not heard anything from Eddie Hearn as to who Anthony Joshua will fight and there’s been no request to sanction Wladimir Klitschko,” IBF Chairman Lindsey Tucker exclusively told World Boxing News.
“We have heard rumors that Klitschko has another plan and will be fighting for the vacant WBA title,” he added.
The potential to green light Joshua v Klitschko has been one of the most drawn out processes of recent times and brings back memories of when Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao finally revealed their talks back in 2014.
A decision was firstly due last Thursday, before being delayed until Friday, whilst nothing has been heard since and leads most to believe Joshua v Klitschko is off the table for now.
A fight between Klitschko and Lucas Browne has been placed at the top of the prediction polls, even though the Aussies lawyer Leon Margules and promoter Ricky Hatton have both denied any recent talks.
Other possibles for Klitschko from the current WBA rankings include Alexander Ustinov and Manuel Charr.
