Anthony Joshua will face Daniel Dubois in an all-British heavyweight clash for the IBF World heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on 21 September, with the bout broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Oleksandr Usyk announced on Tuesday that he was vacating his IBF belt, meaning Joshua could reclaim one of his previously held world titles if he beats Dubois, who has been promoted from interim IBF titleholder to IBF champion.
Joshua has climbed back up the heavyweight rankings after two straight losses to Usyk, who became the undisputed world champion with a stunning win over Tyson Fury last month.
Joshua, 34, lost on points to Usyk in their two previous bouts in 2021 and 2022.
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Anthony Joshua competed in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix the day after knocking out Francis Ngannou!
He returned in 2023 with a points win over Jermaine Franklin, then followed that up with stoppage wins over Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin later that year.
He has already boxed once this year, beating Francis Ngannou in just two rounds. The former UFC mixed martial arts champion was still a novice boxer when he took on Tyson Fury for 10 rounds in his professional boxing debut.
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Check out what Anthony Joshua said to Francis Ngannou in the ring after the fight.
Dubois, who once held the WBA title, also bounced back impressively from his loss to Usyk.
The 26-year-old Dubois challenged Usyk for the WBO, WBA and IBF titles at the Wroclaw Stadium in Poland last August. Dubois pressured the Ukrainian at first and went all out. Usyk had to get up from a low blow and was able to stop Dubois in the ninth round, a decision that Dubois and his team still contest.
But Dubois dominated Jarrell Miller in December and then dominated Filip Hrgovic earlier this month to win the interim IBF title.
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On the Toe2Toe podcast, Andy Scott, Andy Clark and Dan Azeez break down Joshua vs. Dubois.
Dubois: I need to be a regicide | AJ: We are all a pack of lions
Dubois said at a press conference on Wednesday…
“I just try to be the best. Fight the best, beat the best. AJ has been the champion for a long time and we all know that, so I need to be the king-killer on that night.”
“That’s my goal and that’s the mission I’m on now. I’m just ready to go.”
“I’m definitely learning more about myself with each fight, as a fighter and as a person. I’m coming out of the darkness, into the light and becoming the man of the future.”
“I’ve grown in every way as a fighter and as an athlete. I’m really excited for this fight and I’m ready.”
I’m ready to fight with my fists. I’m 100% ready. I’m going to go to camp, I’m going to be focused, I’m going to train like a beast. Bring it on.”
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Dubois is confident of victory when he faces Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September, but AJ is simply focused on being in top condition on fight day.
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Joshua and Dubois first faced off at a press conference ahead of the IBF heavyweight world title bout at Wembley on September 21.
Joshua said at a press conference on Wednesday:
“The next guy up will step up. I’ve been thinking about Dubois for a while, but he’ll be in my mind for the next 12 weeks before I raise my hand.”
“I’m not stupid either. I know the game. We’re all in the wild, a pack of lions and hunters. We’ve got to keep our eyes on them. We can’t just focus on those two.” [Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder].
“The goal is just to have a successful training camp and perform on the night. The glory will come later.”