Anthony Joshua is expected to fight Daniel Dubois for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title after Oleksandr Usyk announced he is vacating the world title.
The Ukrainian defeated Tyson Fury on points to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion, unifying the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF belts, but has now announced he will relinquish one of the belts ahead of the planned clash between Joshua and Dubois at Wembley on 21 September.
Usyk confirmed the news through his Instagram profile. “Hey Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, the IBF belt is my gift to you for 9/21/2024. The world loves the strong. Your friend, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk”, he posted.
Dubois, who was beaten by the Ukrainian last year, holds the IBF interim belt and would have been a mandatory challenger for Usyk, who is under contract for a rematch with Fury in December. The 26-year-old Dubois overcame the loss to the Ukrainian in Wroclaw, first past Jarell Miller in December and then beating Filip Hergovich earlier this month to capture the IBF interim belt.
Joshua, who is a former world champion, has two losses in the ring against Usyk. He bounced back with a points victory against Jermaine Franklin in 2023, but two knockout wins over Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin followed. He has already boxed once this year, taking out former MMA champion Francis Ngannou in two rounds.
Joshua has 31 fights in which he has recorded 28 wins (25 by knockout) and 3 losses - two to Usyk and one to Andy Ruiz Jr. Dubois has 23 fights and has 21 wins (20 by knockout) and 2 defeats – to Usyk and Joe Joyce. | BGNES
