Anthony Joshua expected to fight Daniel Dubois for world title as Oleksandr Usyk vacates IBF belt | Boxing News
Anthony Joshua is expected to fight Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight belt after Oleksandr Usyk confirmed he was vacating the world title.
Usyk defeated Tyson Fury on points to become undisputed champion with the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF titles, but has now announced he will relinquish his IBF belt ahead of a planned fight between Joshua and Dubois at Wembley Stadium on September 21..
The Ukrainian confirmed the news through his Instagram account.
Dubois holds interim IBF belt and was mandatory challenger for world title
“Hey Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, the IBF Belt is my gift to you on 9/21/2024.
Dubois, who Usyk defeated last year, holds the IBF interim belt and would be the mandatory challenger to Usyk, who is signed for the Fury rematch, a fight scheduled for December this year.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights how Oleksandr Usyk became undisputed world heavyweight champion after dramatic battle with Tyson Fury
Joshua, a former unified world champion, has lost twice to Usyk.
He returned with a points win over Jermaine Franklin in 2023, but then followed that up with two stoppage wins over Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.
He has already boxed once this year, eliminating Francis Ngannou in just two rounds. Ngannou, a former UFC MMA champion, was an inexperienced boxer but managed to go the 10-round distance with Tyson Fury in his first professional boxing fight.
Dubois also successfully bounced back from a loss to Usyk.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking on the Toe2Toe podcast, Andy Scott, Andy Clarke, Lewis Richardson and Dan Azeez discuss the possibility of Joshua facing Dubois
The 26-year-old challenged Usyk for the WBO, WBA and IBF titles at the Wroclaw Stadium in Poland last August. Dubois tried hard in the game, initially putting pressure on the Ukrainian. Usyk had to get up from a low blow, a decision that Dubois and his team still dispute, to stop Dubois in the ninth round.
The Brit, however, defeated Jarrell Miller in December and, earlier this month, defeated Filip Hrgovic to win the IBF interim belt.
“[Being world champion] it is a dream. From challenging for the world title to having the chance to win [it] Frankly, that’s what I want,” Dubois declared after the fight.
“I’m going to demolish Joshua. I’m going to get even better from here.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Joshua was present at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, just one day after knocking out Francis Ngannou!
As he tries to regain his previous position in the division, Joshua said: “I have to eliminate them one by one.
“It won’t be easy, but that’s my mentality. So come, come everyone.
“He [Dubois] been in tougher fights 1719356443, then it becomes hardened. He’s risen through the ranks, we’ll see what happens.
“I’m going to show up and do my job.”
