As the anticipation builds for the IBF world title clash on September 21 at London’s Wembley Stadium, all eyes are on the headline bout between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. This fight, set to take place as part of Riyadh Season’s debut card in the UK, promises to be an electrifying showdown. Adding to the intrigue is the endorsement from unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk, who has publicly backed Joshua to emerge victorious.

Oleksandr Usyk, who recently became the first undisputed heavyweight world champion of the four-belt era, is in a unique position to offer insights into this matchup. Having defeated both Joshua and Dubois in past encounters, Usyk has the experience and knowledge to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each fighter. In an interview with Sky Sports, Usyk stated, “I think it’s AJ. I respect both of these guys, but I predict Anthony.”

Usyk’s endorsement is significant, considering his history with both fighters. He delivered a technical masterclass to defeat Joshua on points in September 2021, claiming the WBA, IBF, and WBO world titles. Usyk solidified his dominance with a split decision victory in the immediate rematch 11 months later. In August last year, Usyk continued his winning streak by stopping Dubois in the ninth round.

Daniel Dubois, with a professional record of 21-2-0 and 20 KOs, is making the first defense of his IBF world title. He was elevated from interim to full world champion status after Usyk vacated the title to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury. Dubois earned the interim title by defeating Filip Hrgovic in June, setting the stage for his upcoming clash with Joshua.

Anthony Joshua, boasting a record of 28-3-0 with 25 KOs, is no stranger to the pressure and spotlight of world title fights. A win against Dubois could pave the way for a long-anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury, a bout that boxing fans have been eagerly awaiting.

Despite Usyk’s short reign as the four-belt champion, he has taken a positive stance on the distribution of titles in the sport. “It’s good when different sportsmen have belts. For me, it’s good. For boxing, it’s great,” Usyk remarked. He expressed his belief that having multiple world champions contributes to the growth and development of boxing.

On the opposite side of the ring, Tyson Fury is expected to support Daniel Dubois on fight night. Fury, who experienced his first career defeat at the hands of Usyk, has had a longstanding rivalry with Joshua. Despite past attempts to schedule a fight between the two British heavyweights, contractual obligations and other factors have prevented it from materializing.

Spencer Brown, Fury’s manager, commented on the potential matchup, saying, “There’s no collision course [with Joshua] if he doesn’t win the next fight. So it’s imperative he beats Usyk.” This highlights the importance of Fury’s upcoming rematch with Usyk, as a victory for Joshua against Dubois could finally lead to a much-anticipated bout with Fury.

With Usyk backing Joshua and Fury in Dubois’s corner, the fight on September 21 promises to be more than just a title defense. It represents a critical juncture in the heavyweight division, potentially setting the stage for future mega-fights. The stakes are high, and boxing enthusiasts around the world are eagerly waiting to see who will come out on top at Wembley Stadium.

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