Anthony Joshua will face Daniel Dubois in an all-British heavyweight clash for the IBF world heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on September 21, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Oleksandr Usyk announced on Tuesday that he had vacated the IBF belt, which means Joshua can regain one of the world titles he previously held if he defeats Dubois, who has been upgraded from IBF interim title holder to the IBF champion.
Joshua has marched back up the heavyweight ranks after suffering two consecutive losses to Usyk, who went on to become the undisputed world champion with his stunning victory over Tyson Fury last month.
The 34-year-old Joshua was outpointed by Usyk in two fights that spanned 2021 and 2022.
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Anthony Joshua was at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, just a day after knocking out Francis Ngannou!
He returned with a points win over Jermaine Franklin in 2023, but then followed up with stoppage victories over Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin later that year.
He’s boxed once this year already, taking out Francis Ngannou in just two rounds. Ngannou, a former UFC champion in MMA, was an inexperienced boxer, but he had managed to go the 10-round distance with Tyson Fury in his first professional boxing bout.
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See what Anthony Joshua said to Francis Ngannou in the ring after their fight.
Dubois, who previously held a version of the WBA title, has also rebuilt successfully from a loss to Usyk.
The 26-year-old challenged Usyk for the WBO, WBA and IBF titles at the Wroclaw Stadium in Poland last August. Dubois put in a game effort, pressing the Ukrainian initially. Usyk had to rise from a low blow, a ruling which Dubois and his team still dispute, to halt Dubois in the ninth round.
Dubois though went on to grind down Jarrell Miller in December and at the start of this month pounded Filip Hrgovic to a halt to win the IBF Interim strap.
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Speaking on the Toe2Toe podcast, Andy Scott, Andy Clarke and Dan Azeez analysed Joshua vs Dubois
Dubois: I need to become a king-slayer | AJ: We’re all a pack of lions
Dubois, speaking at Wednesday’s press conference…
“I’m just aiming to be the best. To fight the best and beat the best. AJ has been the king for a long time, and we all know it, so on the night I need to become a king-slayer.
“That’s my goal and that’s the mission at hand. I’m just ready to go.
“I’m definitely learning more about myself with every fight, as a fighter and as a person. Coming out of the darkness, going into the light and being a man of the future.
“I’ve improved all round as a fighter and an athlete. I’m really up for this and ready to go.
I’m ready to let my fists do the talking. I’m 100m per cent ready. I’m going to go to camp, focus and train like a beast. Bring it on.”
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Dubois is confident he’ll have the beating of Anthony Joshua when they fight at Wembley in September, while AJ is just focused on making sure he’s in peak physical condition to perform on the night
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Joshua and Dubois faced off for the first time at the launch press conference for their blockbuster battle at Wembley on 21 September for the IBF heavyweight world title
Joshua, speaking at Wednesday’s press conference…
“It’s the next man up. I’ve had Dubois on my mind for a while, and he’ll be on my mind for the next 12 weeks until I get my hand raised.
“I’m not silly either, I know the game. We’re all in the wild. We’re a pack of lions and hunters. I have to keep my eyes peeled, I can’t just focus on those two [Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder].
“The goal is just to get through a successful training camp, and then performing on the night. The shiny stuff comes at a later date.”