Oleksandr Usyk Vacates Belt

Usyk present

“Anthony and Daniel, listen: I know, IBF title important to you, “my present to you on Sept. 21.” Usyk said.

Dubois scored an eighth-round TKO victory over Filip Hrgovic, then the No. 1 contender, earlier this month in Riyadh to win the IBF interim title.

The Joshua vs. Dubois bout will be formally announced at a news conference Wednesday. It will be the first Riyadh Season event in the U.K. The first such event outside the kingdom is the Aug. 3 Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov bout in Los Angeles.

Usyk’s mandatory IBF title defense is overdue. It was ruled going into his fight with Fury that the winner must face the mandatory challenger next or be stripped. With a two-fight deal in place, Usyk’s move Tuesday was expected.

Back on top

Both Joshua and Dubois are both from London who have been recently fighting under the Riyadh promotion.  Most likely Wembley Stadium will be the venue as Joshua has headlined in the past. This fight gives Joshua the title shot that he’s been hoping for since his back to back loses to Oleksandr Usyk.

Dubois fought Usyk as well. Their fight was very controversial as he knocked down Usyk with a body shot. A shot that could have been well been ruled a knockdown. But the blow was ruled low despite replays showing that it was right on the belt area. Usyk would get up and outpoint Dubois for a majority decision win.