Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury fight on the brink of collapse

The WBO has given Joshua's camp until this weekend to prove his fight with Fury can go ahead before he is ordered to go up against the Ukrainian.

"The WBO is extremely happy as their mandatory challenger will be facing their heavyweight champion," Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk told Sky Sports.

"What else can they desire? We are waiting for their approval letter!"

Meanwhile, WBO president Paco Valcarcel declared on Tuesday night: "I hope boxing fans will enjoy Joshua vs Usyk in the near future" adding that a potential date for Joshua vs Usyk is in August at "most likely a big open-air venue in the UK."

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"Usyk said that he was crossing the English Channel by the time he received my message, and asked which turn he should be making," added Krassyuk.

"He was happy to hear the news."

The increased likelihood of a Joshua vs Usyk bout comes in the wake of a ruling that looks set to scupper the proposed heavyweight showdown between Joshua and Fury in Saudi Arabia in August.

Joshua labelled Fury a “fraud” in a furious social media tirade following the emerging news that their fight now looks like it could be ditched.

Fury has hinted he may have no choice but to face Deontay Wilder for a third time after an arbitration hearing in the US sided with the American fighter’s claim that the trilogy is a contractual obligation.

The ruling came just hours after the Gypsy King had all-but confirmed he and Joshua would be meeting on August 14.

Joshua accused Fury of using the move as an excuse to back out of the eagerly-awaited contest, while angry Fury responded by challenging his fellow Briton to an immediate bare-knuckle contest.

Joshua wrote on Twitter: “@Tyson_Fury the world now sees you for the fraud you are. You’ve let boxing down!

“You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight. Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly.”

Unsurprisingly Joshua’s tweet provoked an immediate response.

Amid an expletive-ridden rant, Fury wrote: “Spouting absolute s***! Your full team knew there was an arbitration going on, it was out of my hands!

“But I tell you what if I’m a fraud let’s fight this weekend bare knuckles till 1 man quits? Let’s put up 20 mill each!!!”

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Joshua hit back as the pair traded tweets, questioning why Fury would announce they were fighting if the arbitration was in process.

“If there was an arbitration going on, why announce to the world we are fighting! The fight was signed! UNDISPUTED,” Joshua added.

“Bare knuckle? You’re a good kid, don’t play with me Luke! I’ll slap your bald head & you’ll do nothing! Waste man.”

Fury insists he will take out Wilder as well as Joshua.

Fury added: “Not going in to the details on line!

“You’ll slap me about will you dosser please come and try Bum, i’m waiting… Femi AKA Bottlejob! 24/7 365. Ready. i’ll smoke wilder first then you will get yours aswell.”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has given Fury’s camp a deadline of the end of this week to salvage the super-fight, but the prospects for the contest look increasingly diminished at this point.

Some reports claim Fury is already resigned to facing Wilder again in Las Vegas in July, meanwhile Hearn's optimism for confirmation of the fight is now also waning.

"Am I hopeful? I don't know," he said when asked about the fight on August 14.

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"We were told the arbitration wouldn't be a problem but obviously it is a problem.

"We have to think on our feet. We have to act accordingly. We still hope the fight can go ahead but it's out of our hands.

"If [Fury's] hands are tied [Joshua] will have to look elsewhere."