26 June 2024 , 09:26
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Daniel Dubois has been upgraded to the IBF heavyweight world champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his world title.
Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years when he beat Tyson Fury in May but has now given up his IBF belt just over a month later. Dubois won the interim belt after stopping Filip Hrgovic on the undercard of Fury and Usyk's world title fight has now been upgraded to the full world champion.
Dubois will be defending his newly acclaimed world title for the first time when he fights Anthony Joshua on Sept 21 at Wembley Stadium. Usyk belittled Joshua and Dubois by announcing his decision to vacate the belt when he 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.” Joshua will attempt to become just the fifth three-time heavyweight world champion in history by dethroning Dubois in his first defence. 'AJ' hasn't competed in a world title fight since failing to win back his unified world titles against Usyk in their rematch two years ago.
Dubois won four consecutive fights after losing his unbeaten record to Joe Joyce in 2020 but was stopped in his first world title shot against Usyk last year. The 26-year-old has a history with Joshua as he claims to have dropped his domestic rival when they sparred over five years ago.
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Usyk is contracted to rematch Fury just days before Christmas, making him unable to fulfil his mandatory obligations for the IBF to take on Dubois. Fury is confident he can avenge his loss to Usyk and maintains that he won the fight despite almost being stopped in round nine.
"I've watched the fight back lots and still got the same answer - I thought I won. Usyk knows he didn't beat me… I thought I boxed the head right off him for most of the rounds. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it'd be. People said he's hard to hit, I was lighting him up with four-punch combinations and laughing at him," he said.