Can we really call Joshua a 'world champion'?

His next two fights are apparently Pulev in November & Parker in March, if he comes through that I'll recognise him as more of a legit champion than Wilder but still not number 1 in the division.

 

This

 

There's a chance Wlad and Fury still haven't fought before March ! In that case, Fury would be in danger of forfeiting his #1 position !
Another possibility is they fight, Wlad wins, and retires.
Of course, Fury could retire at any moment, any day, fight or no fight, win or lose, who knows.
If AJ can keep fighting and keep winning, he might become the #1 man in the division without beating the #1 man.

 

He's a world title holder but he isn't the world champion.

He does need to start upping his opponent level.

 

Yes. Yes, we can.

 

Unfortunately he does hold a version of the HW belts, so yes he is, but in a very manufactured way.

I would have liked to have seen his career map out the correct way, and not rushed and manouvered to his current position, because what happens when "and he will" get beat the minute he is forced into a position to have an actual fight?

Probably vacate rather than stand up just to keep his zero.

 

Joshua is in possession of a world title strap.

That does not make him the world champion.

Fury is the one and only HW champion of the world.

There can be only one HW champion of the world.