**Oleksandr Usyk Vacates IBF Heavyweight Title, Paving Way for Joshua vs. Dubois Clash**
In a surprising move, Oleksandr Usyk has announced he is vacating his IBF heavyweight title, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. The decision means Usyk will not defend the IBF belt in his upcoming rematch with Tyson Fury on December 21, denying Fury the chance to become the first undisputed British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Usyk, the undisputed champion who claimed the IBF belt by outpointing Joshua at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021, has chosen to vacate the title to facilitate a fight between his former foes. Talks are underway for Joshua and Dubois to contest the vacant belt, with a potential showdown at Wembley on September 21.
Taking to social media, the unbeaten Ukrainian Usyk addressed Joshua and Dubois directly: “Anthony and Daniel, listen, I know the IBF title is important to you. It’s my present to you on September 21.”
This decision opens up the heavyweight division and sets up another potential undisputed fight in 2025. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn outlined a possible roadmap for the division, suggesting that the winners of Joshua vs. Dubois and Usyk vs. Fury could face each other in either April or May next year.
Joshua, who is aiming to become a three-time heavyweight world champion, has been on a redemption journey since his back-to-back losses to Usyk. After being dethroned by Usyk in 2021 and losing again in their rematch in Saudi Arabia, Joshua has clawed his way back into title contention with victories over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and Francis Ngannou.
Meanwhile, Daniel Dubois, the former WBA ‘Regular’ champion, has also been making waves in the heavyweight division. Although he was stopped by Usyk in their unification bout in August 2023, Dubois rebounded with a knockout win over Filip Hrgovic on June 1, securing the interim IBF strap.
As the boxing world awaits the official confirmation of the Joshua vs. Dubois fight, the potential matchup has already generated significant buzz. With Joshua seeking to reclaim his former glory and Dubois eager to prove himself against one of the division’s best, fans are in for an exciting contest.
Tony Bellew, a former world champion himself, has thrown his support behind Joshua, predicting that AJ will knock out his British rival inside two rounds. Whether this prediction comes true remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the heavyweight division is heating up, and boxing fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming months.
