Joshua IBF title bout confirmed as Usyk vacates belt

Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished his IBF belt following his victory over Tyson Fury, clearing the way for Anthony Joshua to face Daniel Dubois for the coveted title.

Usyk, who last month secured the undisputed heavyweight championship by defeating Fury in a closely contested bout, has opted to prioritise a rematch with Fury instead of fulfilling his mandatory obligations against Dubois.

Usyk’s decision, announced via social media, effectively sets the stage for Joshua’s bid to reclaim the IBF title in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown against Dubois at the national stadium in Wembley later this year.

In the video on social media platform, X, Usyk said, “Anthony and Daniel listen, I know IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on September 21. The world loves strong. Your friend, undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk.”

The 37-year-old had reportedly asked to retain the IBF belt until December, in order to make his expected rematch with Fury another fight for the undisputed title. However, IBF rules meant Usyk would have been stripped of that belt unless he fought Dubois first, so he made the decision to vacate it.

Joshua, aiming to become a three-time world champion, first ascended to heavyweight glory in 2016 with a triumph over Charles Martin, only to temporarily surrender his belts to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, an outcome he swiftly rectified later that year.

In 2021, Joshua faced Usyk in a bout that ended in defeat, but he has since regrouped and remains determined to regain his status atop the division.

Dubois, on the other hand, has rebounded impressively from setbacks, most notably overcoming Filip Hrgovic to claim the interim IBF title recently.