Anthony Joshua is predicted to struggle Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight belt after Alexander Usyk confirmed he’s vacating his world title.
Usyk defeated Tyson Fury on factors to develop into the undisputed champion with the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF titles, however has now introduced he’ll relinquish his IBF belt forward of the scheduled struggle between Joshua and Dubois at Wembley Stadium on September 21.
The Ukrainian confirmed this information in his Instagram account.
“Hey Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, IBF belt is my reward to you on 09/21/2024. The world loves the robust. Your buddy, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Alexander Usyk,” he wrote.
Dubois, who Usyk defeated final 12 months, holds the IBF interim belt and could be a compulsory challenger for Usyk, who’s underneath contract for a rematch with Fury, which is about for December this 12 months.
Joshua, who was once a unified world champion himself, had beforehand misplaced twice to Usyk.
He bounced again with a factors win over Jermaine Franklin in 2023, however then adopted that up with two stoppage wins over Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.
He has already boxed as soon as this 12 months, defeating Francis Nganna in simply two rounds. Ngannou, a former UFC MMA champion, was an inexperienced boxer, however he managed to go the space of 10 rounds with Tyson Fury in his first skilled boxing struggle.
DuBois additionally bounced again efficiently from his loss to Usyk.
The 26-year-old challenged Usyk for the WBO, WBA and IBF titles on the Wroclaw Stadium in Poland final August. DuBois put the sport on himself, initially urgent the Ukrainian. To cease DuBois within the ninth spherical, Usyk needed to stand up after a low blow, a call that DuBois and his workforce nonetheless dispute.
Nonetheless, the Briton went on to knock out Jarell Miller in December and earlier this month beat Filip Hrgovic to win the IBF interim belt.
“[Being world champion] it is a dream. From preventing for the world title to getting an opportunity to win [it] Straight up, that is what I need,” DuBois mentioned after the struggle.
“I will take down Joshua. It is solely going to get higher from right here.”
As he appears to regain his former place within the division, Joshua mentioned: “I’ve to select them off one after the other.
“It will not be straightforward, however that is my mentality. So come one, come all.
“He [Dubois] was in harder battles 1719374528, so it turns into hardened. He made his method up the steps, let’s examine what occurs.
“I am going to come and do my job.”