26 June 2024 , 14:48
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Anthony Joshua will attempt to become a three-time heavyweight world champion when he takes on Daniel Dubois at Wembley on September 21.
Joshua and Dubois will headline at the national stadium with the IBF belt on the line after Oleksandr Usyk gave it up following his win over Tyson Fury last month. Usyk is contracted to a second fight with Fury and so was unable to fulfil his mandatory obligations and take on Dubois.
Dubois became the interim champion with a stoppage victory over Filip Hrgovic earlier this month and has now been upgraded to full champion after Usyk's decision - but will start as the underdog against Joshua who has won his last four fights following his back-to-back defeats by Usyk. He has beaten Jermain Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou to put himself back in world title contention.
"I’m not silly, I know the game," Joshua said. "We are in the wild, we are a pack of lions and I’ve had to keep my eyes peeled on Daniel and the rest of the heavyweights. Whoever would have been in his seat, I would be ready to fight in September. The goal is getting through a successful training camp and doing what I need to do, then performing on the night. The shiny stuff comes at later date."
Joshua, who was joined on stage yesterday by Egyptian artist Karim Abdul Aziz for his face-off with Dubois, was first crowned ruler in 2016 when he demolished Charles Martin, only to lose his belts three years later to Andy Ruiz Jr - a defeat he avenged the same year.
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"I’m aiming to fight the best and beat the best," Dubois added. "AJ has been the king for a long time and on the night I need to become the king-slayer. That’s the goal and mission I have. I’m ready to let my fists do the talking, 100 percent ready to go. I’m going to camp focused and I’m going to train like a beast. Bring it on."
Joshua lost his belts again in 2021, this time when he was outclassed by Usyk in London - and the Ukrainian followed up his victory with success in the rematch a year later. Dubois, meanwhile, has rebuilt his career impressively since losing to rival Joe Joyce in 2020 admit accusations he "quit" in the grudge fight.
He won his next four fights before he too was beaten by Usyk when he was stopped in the ninth round in Poland last year. Dubois bounced back against Jarrell Miller before upsetting Filip Hrgovic in Saudi Arabia earlier this month to become the interim IBF champion.