Anthony Joshua, the British heavyweight star, is gearing up for a comeback bout scheduled for September at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium. Recent reports indicate negotiations are in the final stages, with Daniel Dubois emerging as the likely opponent for Joshua’s return to the British ring.

Promoter Eddie Hearn disclosed in a press conference on June 26 that Daniel Dubois is the frontrunner to face Anthony Joshua. While the details are yet to be fully ironed out, Hearn expressed optimism about finalizing the deal soon.

“We’re focused on fighting Daniel Dubois for the world title at Wembley but it is not all agreed. There’s still work to be done but 100 per cent, myself, His Excellency, George Warren, Spencer Brown, we’re all working together to make it happen,” Hearn told iFL TV.

The anticipated match between Joshua and Dubois could potentially be for the IBF title, as Dubois recently secured the IBF interim title with an impressive victory over Filip Hrgovic. This victory positions Dubois as the next in line for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s full IBF championship, pending the outcome of Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury.

Usyk, who made history as the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion after defeating Tyson Fury in May, is slated to rematch Fury on December 21 in Saudi Arabia. This timeline has opened up opportunities for contenders like Dubois and Joshua to vie for vacant titles, should the IBF decide to strip Usyk of the championship due to scheduling conflicts.

Former champion Deontay Wilder was also considered as a potential opponent for Joshua, but recent defeats have shifted the focus to fighters like Dubois, who are ascending in the heavyweight ranks. Wilder’s setbacks against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang have signaled a potential transition towards retirement for the 38-year-old American.

As Anthony Joshua prepares for his return to the ring, all eyes are on the unfolding negotiations with Daniel Dubois. The prospect of a British heavyweight showdown at Wembley Stadium adds an extra layer of excitement to the boxing community. With the IBF title potentially at stake, the stakes are high for both fighters as they seek to assert their dominance in the competitive heavyweight division.