LONDON (Reuters) – Anthony Joshua will take on fellow Briton Daniel Dubois for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight belt on September 21 at Wembley Stadium in London, promoters announced on Wednesday. This bout comes after Oleksandr Usyk was forced to vacate the belt.

Usyk, who is set to face Tyson Fury in a rematch in December, had to relinquish the IBF belt just five weeks after becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion with a split-decision victory. As a result, Dubois, who became the new interim IBF heavyweight champion by defeating Croatian challenger Filip Hrgovic earlier this month, steps up for the challenge.

“I’m aiming to be the best. AJ (Joshua) has been the King for a long time but on the night I need to be the ‘King slayer’. That’s the goal, the mission I have,” Dubois declared confidently at the press conference. “I’m ready to let my fists do the talking. I’m 100% ready to go and to train like a beast.”

Dubois, 26, boasts a 21-2 record with 20 knockouts. In contrast, the 34-year-old Joshua has a record of 28-3, with 25 knockouts. Despite losing twice to Usyk in 2021 and 2022, Joshua has rebounded, winning his last four fights.

“I went out to watch his last fight… Dubois has been on my mind for a while and he will be for the next 12 weeks,” Joshua admitted. “Whoever was going to be there, I was ready to fight in September. It just happened to be him.”

When questioned about the age difference between him and his opponent, Joshua was unfazed. “It don’t matter, we’re in peak condition. Age is just a number,” he responded.

Last year, Usyk defeated Dubois in a controversial bout that ended with a ninth-round knockout, overshadowed by a low blow incident. Reflecting on this, Usyk graciously stated on social media, “Anthony and Daniel, I know the IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on September 21.”